25 Hospitalized In Rollover Bus Crash In Downtown LA

LOS ANGELES, CA —Twenty-five people were hospitalized — some with serious injuries — when a bus rolled over on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles Saturday.

The bus had 32 passengers at about 4 a.m. when it struck a sand-filled attenuators on the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway at the Harbor (110) Freeway connector. Then it hit a concrete bridge abutment going onto the edge of the bridge railing and overturning onto its driver side, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Four people had to be rushed to the hospital in serious condition, and another 21 were hospitalized in fair to good condition, according to Amy Bastman of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Most passengers walked from the bus and seven refused treatment, she said.

The bus was returning to Koreatown from a casino in San Diego County, the CHP said. Investigators are still working to figure out why the 53-year-old bus driver lost control of the vehicle.

"Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision," the CHP announced. "The bus was equipped with seatbelts and their use by the driver and passengers is part of the investigation."

Fortunately, the bus hit attenuators designed to absorb a crash impact, according to Officer Peter Nicholson.

A SigAlert issued for the westbound lanes of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway at the Harbor (110) Freeway connector was canceled at 9:26 a.m. The Grand Avenue on-ramp to the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway remained closed, the CHP reported.

The CHP asked anyone who witnessed the crash to call them at (213) 744- 2331.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Youtube Screengrab