4 Injured in Crash Between Tour Bus, Cars on Willows Road Near Alpine

Alpine, CA — Four people were injured — two seriously — in a crash Monday morning involving a tour bus and two cars on Willows Road near Interstate 8 in the Alpine area, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash about one-fourth of a mile off the freeway was reported just after 10 a.m. Monday, according to CHP Officer Benjamin Demarest.

The collision occurred as the driver of a Ford Escort who was traveling westbound on Willows Road — east of Browns Road — pulled to the right shoulder in an attempt to make a u-turn, Demarest said.

At the same time, the driver of a Van Hool Charter Bus that was also traveling westbound tried to avoid hitting the Focus by braking and swerving, the officer said.

But the bus carrying 15 passengers was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the driver's side of the Focus, according to Demarest.

At the same time, a third vehicle, a Toyota 4Runner, was traveling eastbound on Willows and struck the front ends of the Focus and the bus, Demarest said.

The driver and front-seat passenger of the Focus were transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment of major injuries.

Two bus passengers suffered minor injuries; one was treated at the scene and the other was transported to a hospital.

No one in the 4Runner was injured.

Although CHP was still investigating the crash, Demarest said neither alcohol nor drugs were considered factors.

Willows Road was closed in both directions as a result of the crash, but all lanes have since reopened.