Thirteen passengers were injured when a big rig hauling gravel collided with a bus and two other vehicles Wednesday morning in Santa Clarita, authorities confirmed.
The semi tractor trailer was believed to be traveling over the 50-mph speed limit when it approached a yellow light at Centre Point Parkway just before 9:30 a.m., a spokesperson with the L.A. County sheriff’s station in Santa Clarita told KTLA.
Wanting to avoid running a red light, the trailer made a right-hand turn on yellow and slammed into a Santa Clarita Transit bus and two vehicles near the intersection of Golden Valley Road, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to a call of a mass casualty event at 9:36 a.m.
The department confirmed that 13 individuals were injured. One person was listed in critical condition and being treated at a hospital.
The bulk of the damage to the bus was to its side, according to photos from the scene. Part of the big rig was also on its side, and its front end was damaged.
The semi’s tractor appear to be on top of an unidentified sedan, which also suffered front-end damage.
Santa Clarita city officials did not return a call. The transit department issued an alert on social media regarding closures.
All eastbound trips near the intersection were detouring as delays were expected, and students at Golden Valley and Bowman high schools were moved to different pick-up points.