A Santa Clarita Transit bus passenger is in critical condition after a gravel-hauling semi truck crashed into the bus and two other vehicles in northern Los Angeles County, injuring 13 people.
The crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. at Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita on Wednesday.
Authorities said the bus may have been traveling as fast as 70 mph in a 50 mph zone.
A bus passenger had to be extricated using the jaws of life, a hydraulic rescue tool designed to cut through and spread metal, to free a critically injured passenger trapped inside the bus. The bus passenger remained hospitalized in critical condition. Another victim was hospitalized and reported in fair condition. Eight people were transported to hospitals.
The semi truck overturned after the collision, spilling gravel across the roadway. Aerial footage showed the damaged transit bus pushed onto a curb, with another vehicle partially trapped beneath the bus.
“When you look at it, it looks like a scene from Universal CityWalk,” Barclay told KTLA.
Authorities said the truck driver was given a field sobriety test at the scene and passed. Investigators said criminal charges are possible as the investigation continues.
The semi truck involved in the crash was a heavy-duty aggregate hauler, designed to carry construction materials.
Aerial footage shows that it was pulling an open-top, dump-style double trailer loaded with gravel. Gravel was seen spilled across the roadway after the collision.
NTD has reached out to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station for comment.