Tour Bus Crashes Off I-43 Exit Ramp in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Injuring 33 of 54 Passengers

What Happened

A tour bus carrying 54 passengers crashed off an Interstate 43 exit ramp in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon, sending 33 people to area hospitals with injuries ranging from critical to minor. First responders were dispatched just after 2:30 p.m. after the bus — traveling from Chicago to a casino in Michigan — exited northbound I-43 at the North Webster Avenue off-ramp, failed to stop at a stop sign, crossed the roadway, and went over an embankment estimated at four to five feet. The bus came to rest in a paved area between two warehouses below the ramp. Upon arrival, first responders found multiple injured passengers still inside the vehicle. Battalion Chief Chad Bronkhorst of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department confirmed that 33 people were transported to hospitals, with two patients in somewhat critical condition and the remainder ranging down to walking wounded. Captain Clint Beguhn of the Green Bay Police Department described the incident. No fatalities were reported. Most passengers were described as elderly, and the majority of injuries were considered non-life-threatening.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred at the North Webster Avenue exit ramp off northbound Interstate 43 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I-43 is a major north-south corridor serving northeastern Wisconsin, connecting Milwaukee to Green Bay and continuing toward the Upper Peninsula of Michigan — a route commonly used by charter and tour buses traveling to tribal gaming casinos in the region. The Webster Avenue exit ramp terminates at a standard intersection controlled by a stop sign, where drivers must turn either right or left onto Webster Avenue. Beyond the stop sign, the roadway ends and an embankment drops several feet to a paved industrial area below, where two warehouses are located. The geometry of this exit — a descending ramp leading directly to a stop-controlled T-intersection with a significant grade change beyond it — may present navigational challenges, particularly for large commercial vehicles unfamiliar with the local road network.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Passengers injured in this crash may have legal rights under Wisconsin law, including potential claims against the bus operator, the charter company, the bus owner, or other liable parties. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence standard (Wis. Stat. § 895.045), meaning injured parties may recover damages provided they are not more than 51% at fault. Applicable claims could involve negligence in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, potential violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing commercial bus operations, and possible premises or roadway design considerations. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs. Wisconsin's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of injury under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. Injured parties are encouraged to preserve all medical records, document injuries thoroughly, and consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney to understand their individual rights and options.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Green Bay Metro Fire Department: (920) 448-3280
• Green Bay Police Department: (920) 448-3200
• Brown County Emergency Management: (920) 448-4490

Area Hospitals (Green Bay)

• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital: (920) 433-0111
• Bellin Health: (920) 433-3500
• HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center: (920) 498-4200
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center: (920) 288-8000

Traffic Safety & Incident Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) — Road Conditions & Incident Reports: www.511wi.gov
• Wisconsin State Patrol — District 5 (Green Bay): (920) 492-5061
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — Safety Complaints & Records: www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Wisconsin Crime Victim Resource Center (general trauma/victim support): www.wcvrc.org | (800) 446-6564
• Brown County Human Services: (920) 448-6000
• American Red Cross — Badger Chapter (disaster relief & support): www.redcross.org | (800) 733-2767

Applicable Wisconsin Statutes

• Wis. Stat. § 893.54 — Personal injury statute of limitations
• Wis. Stat. § 895.045 — Comparative negligence
• Wisconsin Commercial Vehicle Regulations: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/trucking/oversize-overweight/default.aspx
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 300–399): www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations