The Pennsylvania owner of a tractor-trailer will pay a portion of a settlement reached in a 2005 bus accident. The accident injured 19 people and sadly killed four. The $36 million settlement was reached just prior to the start of several personal injury and wrongful death trials regarding the incident.

The accident reportedly occurred as the bus drove down Interstate 390 near Rochester, New York. As is travelled down the highway it veered off the road and hit a parked truck. On the bus at the time of the crash was a young women's hockey team from Canada.

Three of the four who died in the accident were on the bus. They ranged in age from 13 to 50. The fourth victim was the 42-year-old truck driver. The remaining survivors were all passengers on the bus. They suffered a host of physical and psychological injuries including brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Of the $36 million settlement, $22.5 million will be paid by the two companies that insured the bus company, Coach Canada. The remaining $13.5 million will be paid by the insurers of Pennsylvania based J & J Hauling Inc., the company that operated the truck as well as the owner of the trailer, also from Pennsylvania.

The accident was reportedly due to inexperience and fatigue on the part of the bus driver. At the time of the incident the 24-year-old man had only been in his position for two months. Though there were some reports that he was driving erratically prior to the crash, and he may not have maintained an accurate log book as is required, he was not charged with a crime.

Source: Google, "$36M settlement closes 2005 NY bus crash lawsuit," Ben Dobbin, Dec. 14, 2011