TOWN OF SCOTT — The driver of a vehicle who died after striking a bus full of passengers early Saturday has been identified as Kyle F. Thao, 26, of Merrill.
A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department news release says that the driver was originally thought to be from Wausau because of outdated information on his drivers license.
Police said Thao was driving the wrong way on Hwy. 51 just before 3 a.m. Saturday when he struck an oncoming bus coach driven by a 32-year-old Hatley man. The bus, carrying 29 passengers, was returning to Rhinelander after a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game.
Thao died at the scene.
One woman on the bus was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was treated and released, according to the initial news release.
Toxicology tests are pending.
