1 dead, dozens injured in fiery crash between SUV and tour bus in Hacienda Heights, CHP says
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, Calif. (KABC) -- One person was killed and dozens were injured after a major crash between an SUV and a tour bus on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights.
California Highway Patrol said the crash happened just after 5 a.m. Sunday.
Los Angeles County firefighters said the Nissan SUV was fully engulfed in flames by the time they arrived, and the driver was pronounced dead.
There were 63 people onboard the bus during the crash, according to CHP. The tour bus did not catch fire, but two people were critically hurt, and 32 people in total were transported with varying injuries.
According to CHP, the Nissan SUV was stalled on the 60 Freeway when the tour bus slammed into the back of it. The tour bus then veered to the right and moved across all westbound lanes before hitting a guardrail along the shoulder.
Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash.
It's unclear why the Nissan SUV was stopped in the roadway. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Video from the scene shows damage to the tour bus, with the windshield shattered. CHP said the tour bus was headed from the Indio area to Koreatown.
The crash caused major traffic delays in the area for much of the morning. The westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway were partially blocked for hours but later reopened.
NOTE: A CHP spokesperson noted that the tour bus was headed from the Morongo area to Koreatown, not the Morongo Casino specifically. This post has been updated to reflect that change.
