Batavia, New York — A tour bus driver has been formally charged months after a devastating crash on the New York State Thruway in Genesee County claimed five lives and injured dozens of passengers. Authorities say the charges follow an extensive investigation into the August rollover that shocked multiple communities across the U.S. and abroad.
According to officials, the bus was returning from Niagara Falls to New York City on August 22 when the crash occurred in the town of Pembroke at approximately 12:20 p.m. The motorcoach was carrying 54 people, including the driver. Investigators determined that the vehicle veered off the roadway onto the right shoulder before re-entering traffic, crossing into the grassy median, and swerving back into the eastbound lanes. The bus then rotated counterclockwise and overturned onto its right side, coming to rest partially on the shoulder of the highway.
The driver, identified as Bin Shao, 56, of New York City, was arraigned in Genesee County Court after a grand jury indictment. He faces five counts of criminally negligent homicide and five counts of manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that his actions while operating the bus led directly to the fatal crash.
Authorities said Shao was taken into custody in Putnam Valley and later booked into the Genesee County Jail. He pleaded not guilty during his court appearance and was ordered held on $100,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for March 9.
The motorcoach involved in the crash was a 2005 model owned by Staten Island-based M&Y Tours Inc. A report from the National Transportation Safety Board detailed the sequence of events that led to the rollover. Investigators also noted that there was no evidence of drug or alcohol impairment.
New York State Police officials stated that the investigation required coordination across multiple specialized units. Troop A’s collision reconstruction team conducted a technical analysis of the crash scene, while detectives interviewed passengers, hospital personnel, and witnesses. Digital evidence was also reviewed as part of the case.
District Attorney Kevin Finnell confirmed that Shao is the only individual charged in connection with the crash. He emphasized that the charges are based on decisions made while the bus was in motion, rather than any substance-related impairment.
The five victims who lost their lives were Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China, a student at Columbia University; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, also of Jersey City. Authorities noted that passengers aboard the bus represented seven different countries, underscoring the international impact of the tragedy.
The case remains ongoing as the court process continues, with further proceedings expected in the coming months.
