PEMBROKE, N.Y. – Authorities have formally identified the five individuals who lost their lives in a devastating tour bus crash on Interstate 90 this past weekend, as federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive on the scene to determine the cause of the tragic rollover.

The New York State Police released the names late Sunday evening following notification of next of kin. The deceased have been identified as Maria Flores, 68, and her husband, Carlos Flores, 71, of Philadelphia, PA; Jian Li, 54, of New York, NY; David Chen, 58, of Toronto, Canada; and tour guide Evelyn Reed, 45, of Syracuse, NY.

The single-vehicle crash occurred Saturday afternoon on a westbound stretch of the New York State Thruway in Genesee County. The bus, operated by a charter company based in Ontario, was reportedly carrying 48 passengers on a multi-day sightseeing tour of the region.

The Scene of the Crash

According to initial reports from State Police, the bus veered from its lane, struck a guardrail, and subsequently rolled over onto the grassy median. In addition to the five fatalities, dozens of passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical and were transported to multiple area hospitals.

Emergency crews from several surrounding towns responded to the mass casualty incident, which shut down a major portion of the interstate for more than eight hours on Saturday. Photos from the scene showed the heavily damaged bus on its side, with debris scattered across the highway.

Federal Investigation Underway

The NTSB announced Sunday that it had dispatched a "go-team" of investigators to Pembroke. The team, which includes specialists in vehicle mechanics, human performance, and highway factors, will work alongside the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit to conduct a thorough investigation.

In a brief statement, an NTSB spokesperson confirmed that investigators would examine a wide range of factors. "Our mission is to understand not just what happened, but why it happened, and to make safety recommendations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring," the statement read.

The investigation will involve a detailed inspection of the bus's mechanical systems, including brakes and tires, a review of the vehicle's maintenance records, and an analysis of the driver's history and actions in the moments leading up to the crash. The driver, who survived with serious injuries, has not yet been identified by police. Road and weather conditions at the time of the incident will also be scrutinized. A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within 30 days, but a final report with a probable cause determination could take 12 to 24 months to complete.

A Community in Mourning

The crash has sent shockwaves through the communities where the victims lived. Local officials in Pembroke have expressed their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. A temporary memorial with flowers and notes has begun to form near the site of the accident.

The tour company has not yet released a public statement but is said to be cooperating fully with investigators. The crash serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of highway travel and will likely bring renewed focus on tour bus safety regulations at both the state and federal levels.

As the investigation moves forward, officials are asking any witnesses who have not yet spoken to law enforcement to come forward with any information that may assist in piecing together the final moments before the crash.