The National Traffic and Safety Board finds a lack of federal oversight, driver fatigue and seat belt accessibility were leading factors in a North Country crash last year that left six migrant workers dead. 

Back in January 2023, a box truck crossed over the center line on State Route 37 in the town of Louisville, in St. Lawrence County, crashing into a bus carrying 14 migrant workers.

Now the NTSB is saying the operator of the truck company was over the acceptable rate of crashes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The truck driver had been working the night shift for a fifth-consecutive day, and the NTSB believes the lack of sleep could be one of the reasons why he crossed over the center line.

There were also issues with the bus company, including 16 violations.

The company registered the vehicle out of state in Montana.

The NTSB says that state's vehicle services bureau did not check to see that the company was in under a federal out-of-service order. 

Some passengers that were not wearing seat belts on the bus were thrown and injured.

The NTSB finds seat belts were not readily accessible, and the operator did not have a proper seat belt use policy.

The board is now recommending stronger state and federal oversights, as well as better driver safety and passenger measures in an attempt to help make sure fatal crashes like this are avoided.