The driver of the Queens-bound bus that crashed on I95 after leaving Foxwoods casino — injuring 23 passengers — might have fallen asleep behind the wheel, police said today.
“It’s one possibility we are looking at,” said New York State police Sgt. John Maasz.
Other factors that could have contributed to the July 4th crash near exit 16 in New Rochelle include the rain-slicked roads and speed, he said.
Driver Wei Chen — who has a clean driving record — has no recollection of events leading up to the early morning highway smash-up, possibly due to a head injury he sustained in the accident, said Maasz.
Chen suffered the most serious injuries in the crash, including deep lacerations to his arms and legs.
Star Tag, the company that owns and operates the bus, had a satisfactory safety rating from the Federal Motor Safety Administration, which monitors interstate commercial vehicles.
But it had received several violations in the past two years, including four for fatigued drivers.
None of those violations was deemed serious.
The company will be allowed to operate while the feds and the State Department of Transportation determine the cause of the crash, officials said.
jennifer.fermino@nypost.com