The driver of a bus carrying volunteers and staff for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps was killed in a rollover accident early Monday morning just east of the Arizona-California border on Interstate 10. She has been identified as 55-year-old Donna Howard of Kansas City, Mo.
Arizona Public Safety officials say Howard died at the scene, and 8 of the 13 passengers were transported to hospitals; all have been released. One of the injured is a Northern Illinois University marching band staff member.
None of the performing members of the drum corps were involved in the crash.
According to police at the scene, the bus apparently blew a front tire, causing the Howard to lose control. The bus hit an embankment and rolled onto its side. Police say she was not wearing a seatbelt. The investigation is continuing.
Howard, an employee of the charter company, was new to the organization two weeks ago.
“She had grown to love the organization in her short time here and will be missed by all of us,” said Corps Director Dan Farrell. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.”
The corps was on its way from Riverside, Calif., where it performed Sunday night, to its next show in Mesa, Ariz. Several corps have offered their assistance to the Phantom Regiment organization.
Drum Corps International, the parent organization of the competitions, announced that Phantom Regiment had withdrawn from the competition in Mesa in the wake of the accident. Their next scheduled performance is Wednesday in Chickasha, Okla.
Phantom Regiment is scheduled to return to Rockford on Friday.