Tragedy Led to Changes in State,
Federal Laws

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 13, 2008) — On May 14, 1988, a trip home on a school bus after a day at an amusement park ended with the death of nearly half of the passengers, marking it as the one of the most deadly bus accidents in the nation’s history. Now, 20 years later, the country is looking back on not only the tragedy of that evening but the changes that have been made since.

"Both of these tragedies brought an increased focus on school bus safety and made people aware of both the flaws and good points of school bus travel," said Lisa Gross, spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education.

Karolyn Nunnallee, who once held the position of MADD's president, lost her 10-year-old daughter, Patty, in the crash that was caused by Larry Mahoney, a drunk driver who was later found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.24 percent, more than twice the 1988 Kentucky legal limit. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is asking the nation as a whole to observe a moment of silence Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. CDT.

"For nearly 20 years I have fought on the grassroots level adhering to the mission of MADD, and my work is far from over," said Nunnallee in a recent MADD press release.

While traveling south down Interstate 71, just outside of Carrollton, Ken., the bus was struck almost head-on by a Toyota pickup that was driving on the wrong side of the road. The gas tank was punctured and quickly ignited, consuming the entire bus in thick smoke within a few minutes. In the end, 27 of the 67 passengers lost their lives, while 34 others were injured, some with severe burns.

As a result of the crash, Kentucky now requires all school buses to have a total of nine emergency exits, which is more than any other state or even the federal motor vehicle safety standard. Other federal school bus requirements that were passed as a result of the crash include cages around the fuel tanks and flame-retardant seats.

"We should do everything in our power to protect children," added Gross.

Kentucky has since instituted stricter DUI laws with a 0.10 BAC.