Bus driver thankful to be alive after being ejected in crash caused by blowout

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - A bus driver who was transporting South Carolina college students says she is thankful for every new day after a crash caused by a blowout ejected her through the windshield.

Tina Wilson is recovering in the burn unit at New Orleans’ University Medical Center. She was transporting University of South Carolina students to the city April 5 when the bus crashed on Interstate 10 in Hancock County near the state line. Despite not yet knowing a discharge date, she is incredibly optimistic and counting her blessings.

“I’m thankful to be here,” Wilson told WVUE. “So, I don’t have any complaints about anything, not even the hospital food.”

For two weeks and counting, Wilson has been healing from burns and fractures.

“Left arm, my left back, my breast and my toe have road burn,” Wilson said. “I have a couple of fractures: clavicle, vertebrae and the fibula on my right foot. But those are checkmarks on a list. The doctors keep records of my injuries, but all in all, I am in amazing shape.”

Police say the crash happened when one of the bus’ tires blew out. The bus lifted onto two wheels, and Wilson stood up to try and keep control. When the bus landed hard, the windshield broke, and she was ejected, acccording to police.

“I thank God that I don’t have that memory,” Wilson said. “I don’t know what happened. The things I know, people have filled them in for me, but I don’t remember any of that. I’m peaceful with myself, and I’m able to sleep. I wake up in a wonderful mood because I don’t have to replay that.”

In all, 56 students from Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, who were en route to a formal, were onboard the bus at the time of the crash. One of them took over steering after Wilson was ejected and stopped the bus. Ten students were injured, but everyone survived.

Wilson credits God and a couple on the interstate for saving her.

“She thought that I was decapitated and dead,” she said. “They rode by, and her husband looked in the mirror and said, ‘She’s alive. I see her feet moving.’ They stopped, came back and aided me until rescue got there.”

After more than 20 years professionally behind the wheel, Wilson does not believe she will ever drive a bus or car again.

“God told me to stop, listen, pivot and get ready for the next step,” she said. “I don’t know what that will be, but I will be physically and mentally ready. I don’t feel like I’m grinding to a halt here after this injury.”

Wilson is looking forward to returning home to South Carolina, but she said in the meantime, she is thankful for the care and support she is receiving at UMC.