Ghebry Joe Figueroa (Brown County Jail photo)

ESCANABA — A coach bus traveling from Chicago to Island Resort & Casino in Harris crashed in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, injuring 36 of 54 passengers, most of whom were elderly.

The driver, 38-year-old Ghebry Joe Figueroa of Prospect Heights, Ill., was arrested after the crash and was found to have both a revoked driver’s license and a revoked commercial driver’s license.

Neither the Green Bay Police or the Brown County Circuit Court could confirm the name of the bus company.

Figueroa is charged with two felony counts of knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked – causing great bodily harm to another, punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or three years and six months in prison; and one count of operating a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and/or one year in the county jail.

According to the criminal complaint, Figueroa told Green Bay Police he was northbound on Interstate 43 at about 2:45 p.m. and intended to take the Webster Avenue exit to stop at a gas station.

Figueroa said that when he attempted to slow down, the bus’ brakes were not functioning properly. He told police he tried several times to “pump” the brakes but the bus only slowed slightly as it entered the exit ramp.

He also said he attempted to use the emergency brake, but it did not work.

At the end of the ramp, Figueroa observed a vehicle stopped ahead and steered around it in an attempt to avoid a collision, according to the complaint.

The bus continued through the intersection, crossed Webster Avenue, left the roadway, struck a snowbank and became airborne before coming to a full stop between two warehouse buildings on Angie Avenue.

Police reaching the crash immediately beginning evacuation efforts. Officers observed severe damage to the front of the bus, including a shattered windshield, broken front door and broken step leading off the bus.

According to a statement from Lt. Tom Buchmann of the Green Bay Police Department, officers held the bus’ front door open to prevent it from crushing a woman’s legs as she was trapped.

“While assisting the passengers off the bus, I heard the vast majority of them complaining of injuries, ranging from bumps and bruises to serious back pain and broken bones,” Buchmann said in the statement. “It took over an hour and a half to get all the passengers off the bus safely and into awaiting ambulances.”

Thirty-six travelers were ultimately transported to multiple local hospitals. Five refused to be transported but stated they were injured and wanted to be seen when they arrived back in Illinois, according to the complaint.

One passenger who had a broken left arm, broken ribs and an injured shoulder told Green Bay Police she remained in extreme pain after already receiving two doses of Fentanyl.

Another passenger reported she lost consciousness during the crash, had a laceration on her head that required sutures and pain in her shoulders and upper body. That passenger also sustained a T-spine fracture in the lower vertebrae, which hospital staff said could have long-term complications that would need much more medical care.

While an officer spoke with Figueroa, he observed he had bloodshot eyes. Figueroa consented to sobriety tests, a blood draw and a breath-alcohol concentration test at the hospital, which indicated 0.00 BrAC.

Figueroa’s criminal history report indicates that on Dec. 4, 2024, in Cook County, Ill., he was convicted of driving with a revoked or suspended license due to a prior driving under the influence conviction. He was sentenced to two years of probation.

Based on that conviction and Figueroa’s statements, law enforcement believes he was aware his driving privileges were revoked at the time of the crash.

The complaint also indicates Figueroa has a non-extraditable warrant out of Texas.

Figueroa posted a $5,000 bond from the Brown County Jail in Wisconsin and is currently awaiting further criminal proceedings.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.