GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Although plea talks continue, a March 23 trial date was set Friday for tour bus driver Ghebry Figueora in connection with the March 22 crash on Green Bay’s northeast side.
Figueroa, 38, of Prospect Heights, Illinois, faces two counts of knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked – causing great bodily harm to another and one count of operating a motor vehicle while disqualified.
A three-day trial is planned.
The bus was traveling from Chicago to the Island Resort and Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula when it left Interstate Highway 43, went down the Webster Avenue off-ramp, crossed the road, went down an embankment and stopped amid warehouses.
Of the 54 people on board the bus, 36 were taken to local hospitals. The Green Bay Police Department later said a total of 41 people were injured in the crash. The passengers’ injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to a broken arm and ribs for one, and a spine fracture for another.
Figueroa told police he was getting off the highway to refuel.
“While attempting to slow down to take the exit, Figueroa advised that his brakes were not functioning properly. He attempted several times to ‘pump’ the brakes, however, the bus only slowed down slightly while getting on to the exit ramp. He then attempted to utilize the emergency brake, however, he stated that it did not work either,” the complaint states.
At the hospital, a field sobriety test was performed on Figueroa. No signs of intoxication were detected.
Figueroa initially told police he had a valid driver’s license but later acknowledged he did not. A records check said he had revoked personal and commercial driver licenses, the complaint states.
Figueroa was also convicted in Cook County, Illinois, in 2024 of driving with a revoked license due to a driving while under the influence conviction, the complaint states.
Figueroa’s Facebook page lists him as the owner of Lucky Charter and Tours, based in Wheeling, Illinois.
Lucky Charter and Tours is not authorized with the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate interstate, as it appears the company was doing. However, the company didn’t report any crashes in the last two years.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office says Figueroa has not had a valid Illinois driver’s license since 2017, when it was suspended in a driving under the influence case. Figueroa had a commercial driver’s license at the time.
