Ghebry Figueroa (Photo source: Brown County Jail)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Tour bus driver Ghebry Figueroa was ordered Wednesday to stand trial for allegedly operating a motorcoach without a license when it crashed getting off the highway March 22, injuring dozens.
Figueroa, 37, 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. He returns to court April 27 for an arraignment
In court Wednesday, Figueora was bound over for trial after testimony at a preliminary hearing by a Green Bay police detective.
Defense attorney John D’Angelo argued the state didn’t meet its burden that Figueroa’s actions were a “substantial factor” in the crash, but court commissioner Allison Ritchie ruled the state met the low burden of proof standard for a preliminary hearing.
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.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Lucky Charter and Tours is not authorized to operate interstate, as it appears the company was doing. Lucky Charter and Tours 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.
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