Video shows terrifying moments school bus was struck by semi in Columbia County

COLUMBIA COUNTY -- Video released to FOX6 News on Thursday, Nov. 14 shows the terrifying moments a school bus carrying HOPE Christian School: Semper students from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells was struck on I-39 in May 2018.

Twenty of the 33 people on the school bus were injured on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, after a semi-truck struck the bus. Two of the injured were flown from the scene for treatment.

The school bus was loaded with students on their way to a field trip. After experiencing engine trouble, the bus driver pulled over and parked on the shoulder of northbound I-39 in Columbia County.

Moments later, a semi-truck barreled into the bus, sending it forward, and creating chaos on-board. Students, teachers, and parents are seen in the newly released video scrambling to exit the bus.

Minutes prior to the crash, 43-year-old Wayne Murphy of Indianapolis was reported for erratic driving. A trooper was making a traffic stop when he found out about the bus crash -- and soon learned Murphy was behind the wheel of the semi-truck involved.

Murphy was under the influence of prescription drugs when his semi struck the school bus. A jury on Aug. 15, 2019, convicted him on 30 counts (10 felonies and 20 misdemeanors).

Murphy was sentenced on Nov. 4, 2019, to 20 1/2 years in prison. He is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail.

Statement of Fatima Wakefield, Community Relations Director, HOPE Christian Schools on Nov. 14, 2019: