On a quiet Sunday morning in Los Angeles, a tragic incident unfolded on a freeway when a tour bus collided with a sport utility vehicle. This unfortunate accident resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to 32 others, two of whom are in critical condition. The California Highway Patrol reported that the SUV, carrying only one occupant, burst into flames post-collision around 5 a.m. in Hacienda Heights, about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
Officer Zachary Salazar from the California Highway Patrol confirmed that 32 individuals were transported to hospitals, with injuries ranging from critical to minor. Among those affected was Joe Runnel, a passenger on the bus, who recounted the terrifying experience to a news outlet, describing desperate pleas for help from those trapped in the wreckage. Runnel explained that he was violently thrown from his seat due to the impact, landing several rows forward, surrounded by shattered glass and chaos.
Initial investigations suggest the SUV became immobile for unknown reasons while on the freeway, leading to it being struck from behind by the bus, as per the CHP reports. The bus then careened across the lanes, eventually hitting a guardrail on the side of the road. Fortunately, the flames from the SUV did not extend to the bus, which sustained significant front-end damage, including a broken windshield.
According to Salazar, the tour bus was carrying a total of 63 people, including the driver. After the accident, 31 uneventful passengers found transport in another bus to leave the scene. The journey originated from the Indio region near Palm Springs, heading towards Los Angeles’ Koreatown. An earlier report incorrectly suggested the bus was coming from the Morongo area.
Several hours after the collision, two lanes on State Route 60 remained closed, but by late morning, normal traffic flow was restored. The incident highlights the unpredictability of road travel and underscores the importance of investigating the cause to prevent future occurrences.