AVTA bus crashes with 40 passengers, 12 injured

PALMDALE – At least 12 people were injured after an Antelope Valley Transit Authority Bus collided with a sport utility vehicle in a Palmdale intersection Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The collision happened around 9:50 a.m. in the intersection of Avenue M and 10th Street West in Palmdale, according to a Palmdale Sheriff’s Station press report.

The AVTA bus was traveling northbound on 10th Street West, crossing Avenue, when it collided with a 2002 Mazda Tribute that was turning eastbound on Avenue M from 10th Street West, according to the report.

The bus was carrying about 40 passengers at the time, and the SUV’s driver was the sole occupant in the vehicle, AVTA officials said.

The SUV’s driver was not injured in the collision; however, 12 people on the bus complained of minor injuries, according to the Palmdale Station report.

Five passengers were taken to Antelope Valley Hospital; four were taken to Palmdale Regional Medical Center; two pregnant women were taken to the Antelope Valley Women’s and Infant Center; and one passenger was treated at the scene, according to the report.

“We are grateful to hear none of our passengers suffered serious injury,” said AVTA Executive Director Julie Austin, in a press release.

“Our safety training program is extensive and our bus operators know to always be ready for the unexpected.  It is a tremendous responsibility to carry so many lives onboard a bus and our operators take this very seriously,” Austin continued.

The SUV’s air bags did not deploy, however, the vehicle had to be towed from the scene, AVTA officials said.

The ongoing investigation, as to the cause of the collision, is being handled by the Palmdale Sheriff Station’s Traffic Bureau. Investigators will also be reviewing video from the bus, AVTA officials said.

Witnesses estimate that the bus was going about five to 10 miles per hour, right before the collision, according to the Palmdale Station press report.

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