Driver killed in Miley Cyrus tour bus crash on I-85

Driver killed in Miley Cyrus tour bus crash on I-85

Richmond Times-Dispatch

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6:45 p.m.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County today, killing the driver, Virginia State Police said. Cyrus was not aboard the bus, which was one of four traveling in a caravan to the pop star’s next concert in Greensboro, N.C.

The bus was carrying nine members of the tour’s lighting crew when it wrecked about 8:15 a.m. One person suffered a broken nose and was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.

The bus had left early today from Nassau, N.Y., where Cyrus performed the last two nights.

Police could not immediately explain why the bus wrecked near mile marker 55. The driver ran off the side of the road, and the bus turned on its right side in an inclined area. Officials do not believe that speed or road conditions were a factor in the wreck.

The driver was identified this afternoon as William G. Douglas, 53, of Austin, Texas.

On its Web site, the Cyrus family released this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bill “Uncle Bill” Douglas. Members of our tour are like members of our family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in the midst of this tragedy. He will truly be missed.”

The injured person was Marty Zilio, 48, of Canada.

Officials said most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the crash. They were able to escape from the overturned bus by crawling through the front windshield.

The bus was hauled up by a wrecker shortly before noon. Tour members were to rejoin the caravan at the next exit and continue to North Carolina.

Cyrus was traveling separately from the buses, police added.

All lanes of the interstate reopened about 1 p.m., the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

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3:32 p.m.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County today, killing the driver, Virginia State Police said. Cyrus was not aboard the bus, which was one of four traveling in a caravan to the pop star’s next concert in Greensboro, N.C.

The bus was carrying nine members of the tour’s lighting crew when it wrecked about 8:15 a.m. One person suffered a broken nose and was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.

The bus had left early today from Nassau, N.Y., where Cyrus performed the last two nights.

Police could not immediately explain why the bus wrecked near mile marker 55. The driver ran off the side of the road, and the bus turned on its right side in an inclined area. Officials do not believe that speed or road conditions were a factor in the wreck.

The driver was identified this afternoon as William G. Douglas, 53, of Austin, Texas.

On its Web site, the Cyrus family released this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bill “Uncle Bill” Douglas. Members of our tour are like members of our family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in the midst of this tragedy. He will truly be missed.”

The injured person was Marty Zilio, 48, of Canada.

Officials said most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the crash. They were able to escape from the overturned bus by crawling through the front windshield.

The bus was hauled up by a wrecker shortly before noon. Tour members were to rejoin the caravan at the next exit and continue to North Carolina.

Cyrus was traveling separately from the buses, police added.

All lanes of the interstate reopened about 1 p.m., the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

———

1:43 p.m.

By WSLS News Staff

A spokesperson for the Greensboro Colesium says the concert planned for Sunday is still on.

———

1:09 p.m.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County today, killing the driver, Virginia State Police said.  Cyrus was not aboard the bus, which was one of four traveling in a caravan to the pop star’s next concert in Greensboro, N.C.

The bus was carrying nine members of the tour’s lighting crew when it wrecked about 8:15 a.m. One person suffered a broken nose and was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.

The bus had left early today from Nassau, N.Y., where Cyrus performed the last two nights.

Police could not immediately explain why the bus wrecked near mile marker 55. The driver ran off the side of the road, and the bus turned on its right side in an inclined area. Officials do not believe that speed or road conditions were a factor in the wreck.

Officials said most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the crash. They were able to escape from the overturned bus by crawling through the front windshield.

The bus was hauled up by a wrecker shortly before noon. Tour members were to rejoin the caravan at the next exit and continue to North Carolina.

Cyrus was traveling separately from the caravan, police added.

One lane of I-85 southbound reopened about 12:45 p.m., the Virginia Department of Transportation said.


———-

12:41 p.m.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County today, killing the driver, Virginia State Police said.  Cyrus was not aboard the bus, which was one of four traveling in a caravan to the pop star’s next concert in Greensboro, N.C.

The bus was carrying nine members of the tour’s lighting crew when it wrecked about 8:15 a.m. One person suffered a broken nose and was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.

The bus had left early today from Nassau, N.Y., where Cyrus performed the last two nights.

Police could not immediately explain why the bus wrecked near mile marker 55. The driver ran off the side of the road, and when the bus entered an inclined ravine it turned on its right side. Officials do not believe that speed or road conditions were a factor in the wreck.

Officials said most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the crash. They were able to escape from the overturned bus by crawling through the front windshield.

The bus was hauled up by a wrecker shortly before noon. Tour members were to rejoin the caravan at the next exit and continue to North Carolina.

Cyrus was traveling separately from the caravan, police added.

————

11:11 a.m.

One person was killed when a Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County, officials said this morning. Cyrus was not on the bus. There were 15 people on the bus, but no other casualties were immediately reported, Virginia State Police said.

Highway officials closed Interstate 85 at mile marker 55 after the 8:15 a.m. wreck.

The bus was headed to Cyrus’ next tour date Sunday at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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Flag Comment Posted by dixie on November 21, 2009 at 9:10 am

That is sad about Miley Cyrus tour bus.. they are in my payers

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