A young Columbia University student was among five people killed and more than two dozen injured when an eastbound tour bus returning from Niagara Falls lost control and overturned along Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, according to state police and university officials.
Authorities identified the victims as Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a Columbia University student from Beijing, China; Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Jersey City residents Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and Jian Mingli, 56. The bus, operated by Staten Island–based M&Y Tour Inc., was headed to New York City with roughly 50+ passengers when it crossed the median and rolled onto the shoulder. Investigators said the driver reported becoming distracted and overcorrected; no signs of impairment or immediate mechanical failure were found.
State police said approximately 24 people were injured, with patients transported to Erie County Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban, and UMMC in Batavia. Emergency crews, including air medical teams, responded within minutes to a scene strewn with luggage and shattered glass. Officials noted seat-belt use appeared inconsistent among passengers on the motorcoach, a factor they are evaluating as part of the probe.
Columbia University said it is “deeply saddened” by Xie’s death and is offering counseling and support to students and faculty affected by the tragedy. New York officials praised first responders and urged motorists with dashcam footage or witnesses who saw the bus before the crash to contact investigators as the inquiry continues.
Preliminary findings point to distraction and sudden overcorrection as likely contributors, but the full investigation—reviewing driver statements, bus records, roadway conditions, and survivability factors—remains ongoing. Authorities said they will release additional updates, including any safety recommendations, once the reconstruction and interviews are complete.