Driver Seriously Hurt in RivCo School Bus Crash

COACHELLA, CA — A school bus overturned Friday in a head-on crash with a car in Coachella that left both drivers with major injuries, but three children aboard the bus were unhurt, authorities said. The crash happened about 7:45 a.m. on Calhoun Street, north of Avenue 48, California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Radford said.

The officer said 29-year-old Edgar Lopez of Indio lost control of his 2009 Infiniti G37, which veered into opposing traffic and slammed into the bus, causing it to overturn.

Both Lopez and the 34-year-old bus driver, Elizabeth Lozano, were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs with major injuries, he said.

The three children aboard the bus were uninjured, Radford said, while one adult riding on the bus had minor injuries.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, but Radford said witnessed alleged that the Infiniti was seen speeding and passing multiple vehicles prior to the crash. Lopez was not wearing a seatbelt, but all occupants of the bus were restrained.

Calhoun Street between Avenue 48 and Dr. Carreon Boulevard was shut down for about four hours. The CHP reopened the roadway just after 11:30 a.m.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone