16 passengers injured in crash involving MTA bus and stolen vehicle in East Baltimore
The crash in East Baltimore on Thursday involving an MTA bush and a stolen vehicle carrying four juveniles caused injuries to 16 passengers on the bus, but all were non-life-threatening, according to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
The four vehicle passengers were also injured, two of them critically.
The passengers on the bus ranged in age from 2 to 78.
The crash was reported around 12:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of E. Oliver and N. Wolfe streets.
Photos from the scene, which is located in a school zone near Collington Square Park, showed the MTA Gold Route bus off the roadway in a grassy area and a red Hyundai Elantra with extensive damage.
"They quickly declared a mass casualty incident, and as such, 14 medic units responded to this location and were utilized to transport a total of 16 patients to local area hospitals," said Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace.
All but one passenger self-extricated from the bus, and they were actually sitting outside when we arrived here, Wallace said.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed the other vehicle involved had been reported stolen, and there were four juveniles inside.
"Officers received an alert for a stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from officers. Officers called for Foxtrot to assist," Worley told reporters on the scene. "Shortly afterward, officers observed the vehicle collide with an MTA bus at this intersection."
According to the dispatch call, police started following the stolen car by the intersection of North Avenue and N. Gay Street before it sped away. The chase then spanned the Broadway East neighborhood.
The car sped eastbound on E. Oliver Street before colliding with the bus, which was traveling south on N. Wolfe Street -- spinning the car nearly 360 degrees and sending the bus into nearby trees.
Asked whether he was concerned the crash involved young people, the commissioner responded, "I'm always concerned when everything involves juveniles, but we keep locking them up, and they keep ending up getting out."
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore posted about the crash on social media, saying his team is monitoring the situation.
"I'm heartbroken by the bus crash in East Baltimore earlier today," the governor wrote. "Both Dawn and I are praying for everyone involved and are incredibly grateful to the first responders on the site of the crash."
Investigators are now working to review video from the scene, including from the officers and on board the bus.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact investigators at 410-396-2606, or call the anonymous Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
