Ghebry Joe Figueroa appears virtually in Brown County court, March 24, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The driver of a coach bus which crashed Sunday told police the brakes failed as he exited an on-ramp before crashing near some warehouses.
Ghebry Figueroa, 37, of Prospect Heights, Illinois, was charged Tuesday with 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.
During an initial court appearance Tuesday, a $5,000 bond was set. A condition of bond includes no driving without a valid license.
Figueroa returns to court April 1 for a preliminary hearing.
One victim appeared in court from a hospital bed using a cellphone, saying “he messed up my life,” while asking for the $5,000 cash bond.
The bus was travelling from Chicago to the Island Resort and Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula when he left Interstate Highway 43, went down the Webster Avenue off ramp, crossed the road, went down an embankment before stopping amid warehouses. Of the 54 people on board, 36 were taken to local hospitals. Green Bay police said Tuesday a total of 41 people were injured.
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, but no signs of intoxication were detected.
Figueroa initially told police he had a driver’s license, but later acknowledged he did not. A records check said he had revoked personal and commercial driver licenses, the complaint states.
He 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.
The passenger injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to a broken arm and ribs for one, and a spine fracture for another.
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 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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