Farmingdale NY
7-28-2025 3:22pm

LI School District Reacts To NTSB Report On Cause Of Deadly Bus Crash

Farmingdale, NY – July 28, 2025 – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic 2023 bus crash involving Farmingdale High School students and staff, concluding that underinflated and damaged tires were the primary cause of the fatal incident. The report, made public last Thursday, July 24th, has prompted renewed calls for enhanced safety measures within Long Island school districts.

The crash, which occurred on September 21, 2023, on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda, New York, resulted in the deaths of two adult chaperones – band director Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Dozens of students sustained injuries, some serious. The NTSB's investigation revealed that the motorcoach's left-front steer tire failed due to prolonged underinflation and pre-existing impact damage.

According to the NTSB, a post-crash examination of the tires showed clear evidence of sustained operation in an underinflated state. The left steer axle tire, specifically, exhibited severe underinflation indicators and signs of developing tread separation due to precrash impact damage. This combination led to the tire's catastrophic blowout, causing the bus to veer sharply, cross into the median, and roll onto its side.

Beyond the tire failure, the NTSB's report also highlighted a critical factor in the severity of injuries: seatbelt usage. The report stated that only one passenger, a student, was confirmed to be wearing a lap/shoulder belt at the time of the crash, and this student sustained only minor injuries. The other five occupants in the front three rows, including the driver and the two fatalities, were ejected from the bus, resulting in fatal or serious injuries. The NTSB concluded that had the occupants been using their available seatbelts, their injuries would likely have been significantly reduced, and ejection would have been prevented.

In the wake of the 2023 tragedy, New York State implemented new laws taking effect in April 2025, mandating that charter buses be equipped with seatbelts and requiring their use. The NTSB's report strongly reinforces the importance of these new regulations. The agency also recommended periodic tire pressure checks and that educational institutions and organizations using motorcoach transportation ensure passengers are aware of and adhere to seatbelt laws.

While the Farmingdale School District has not yet released an official statement specifically addressing the NTSB's final report as of Monday afternoon, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating event. The district had previously honored the victims with a street renaming ceremony in October 2024. The NTSB's findings serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of vehicle maintenance and passenger safety protocols in preventing future tragedies.

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