One of the worst tragedies in Kentucky’s history occurred on May 14, 1988, known as the Carrollton bus collision. This catastrophic event remains one of the deadliest bus accidents in U.S. history. O
n that fateful day, a church bus carrying 63 people, mostly children and teenagers from the First Assembly of God in Radcliff, Kentucky, was returning from a trip to an amusement park.
As the bus traveled along Interstate 71 near Carrollton, it was struck head-on by a pickup truck driven by a drunk driver, Larry Mahoney. The collision punctured the bus’s fuel tank, causing a massive fire. The bus was equipped with a rear emergency exit, but the flames and smoke made it difficult for many passengers to escape.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 27 people, including 24 children, the bus driver, and two adult chaperones. Thirty-four others were injured, some severely, with burns and other traumatic injuries. This horrific accident brought national attention to the dangers of drunk driving and led to changes in safety regulations, including improvements in emergency exits and fuel tank safety on buses. The Carrollton bus collision remains a solemn reminder of the impact of impaired driving and the importance of vehicle safety measures.
