Horrific Oakland crash involving AC Transit bus injures 16, 1 hospitalized
OAKLAND -- An AC Transit Tempo bus was struck head-on by a car that veered into its path after colliding with another vehicle in Oakland Friday afternoon, injuring 16 people, a transit spokesman said.
The rapid transit bus was northbound on International Boulevard at 54th Avenue when the collision occurred, transit spokesman Robert Lyles said.
Twelve people were on the bus including the driver, he said. The extent of their injuries wasn't immediately known but everyone appeared to be upright and conscious before being taken for medical examination and possible treatment, he said.
The drivers of a Chrysler 300 sedan and a Toyota Prius were injured but only one was taken to a hospital, police told KPIX late Friday night.
The Chrysler was southbound on International Boulevard at an unknown speed when it collided with the Toyota as it attempted to turn left onto 54th Avenue, Lyles said.
The out-of-control Chrysler crossed a raised center median and into the dedicated bus lane, where it collided with the bus, he said.
The AC Transit route, known as Line 1T, has dedicated lanes and center-boarding stations along much of its corridor between Oakland and San Leandro.
Speaking via a translator, Daniel Gaeta said he saw the crash and the aftermath. He told KPIX that he saw at least one of the cars going roughly 100 mph.
"Our organization has held two vigils for people who have been killed here at 54th and International," said Bryan Culbertson with Traffic Violence Rapid Response.
According to Culbertson's organization, International Boulevard has seen 18 fatal traffic accidents over the past two years and this is one of the deadliest intersections. With many of the accidents, speed is to blame.
"It is almost every block, every light," Culbertson said. "There are people speeding down at top speed, running red lights. It is extremely dangerous."
KPIX correspondent Andrea Nakano contributed to this report
