School Bus, Tractor-Trailer Involved In Chain Reaction Crash On Sunrise Highway

SAYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) --  There wasn't much snow, but it came in a blinding squall on Long Island creating pure ice along Sunrise Highway.

Almost 30 vehicles, including a school bus, piled into one another creating frightening moments for drivers.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, the dangerous chain reaction crash closed Sunrise Highway on the Sayville-Bohemia Border.

There were smashed hoods, fenders, and trucks piled in all directions, a mini school bus was overturned, a tractor trailer jackknifed, and cars careened into guardrails.

"What came out so suddenly it was white out conditions, you couldn't see. People were slowing down, it was slippery, people were sliding, saw the bus flip over," Kelly Bennett said.

A 911 alert was sounded, some people were trapped -- six were transported to local hospitals, all escaping life changing injuries.

"I think we had about 25 more or less -- also 18 wheeler, and school bus," tow truck driver Lasso Mina said. "No kids, no kids, only the driver to the hospital."

"It came out of nowhere, we were driving along, and ca car hit us in the back and he swerved not to hit this one and we got hit again," Roberta Grieco said.

Panicked victims waited and help arrived quickly.

Firefighters and other first responders went car to car in the rescue.

"I got hit four times, still made it, thank God. Got God on my side, be alright," Juan Cortes said.

"I heard smashing sounds and just saw snow and it came to a halt," Nicole Carlino said.

Every airbag deployed in Sandy Schulze's SUV

"Absolutely a Christmas miracle," she said, "There were people a lot worse than I. I'm just lucky to be alive."

Schulze was traveling alone, her husband Eddie rushed to the scene.

"My wife's okay. Everybody's okay, that's what it's all about. Got my Christmas present," he said.

Police said no one is at fault but mother nature. A coating of ice, blinding snow squalls, and vehicles going slowly helped ensure there was no loss of life.

Sunrise Highway was closed for several hours creating miles of backups westbound at Exit 49.

It appears the 6 taken to hospitals will be released, including the bus driver and bus matron. 

Dozens of other accidents were reported across Long Island on Thursday.

"Black ice and icy conditions throughout our roadways in Suffolk County," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini told WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs.

Officials urged residents to protect themselves from the frigid conditions.

"These are the kind of conditions that can kill," County Executive Steve Bellone said.

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