Tragedy on 60 Freeway: One Dead, Dozens Injured in Tour Bus and SUV Crash Near Hacienda Heights
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — A devastating collision early Sunday morning claimed one life and sent dozens to the hospital after a tour bus and an SUV collided on the 60 Freeway in Los Angeles County.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the incident occurred just after 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, near the Hacienda Heights area. Emergency responders arrived to find a chaotic scene involving a tour bus carrying more than 60 passengers and a Nissan SUV, which was engulfed in flames upon their arrival.
According to CHP officials, the impact of the collision caused the SUV to catch fire, tragically killing the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
The tour bus, which was transporting passengers from the Morongo area en route to downtown Los Angeles and Koreatown, was carrying a total of 63 people. Of those, 32 individuals sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. CHP confirmed that two of those individuals are in critical condition. Another 31 passengers were evaluated by paramedics on-site but did not require hospitalization.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed the events that led up to the collision or which vehicle may have been at fault. CHP officers are expected to continue reviewing traffic camera footage and interviewing witnesses in the coming days.
This tragic incident adds to ongoing concerns about highway safety, particularly involving large commercial vehicles. With traffic volumes increasing across Southern California, the CHP urges drivers to stay vigilant, especially during early morning hours when visibility and alertness can be compromised.
As the investigation continues, officials are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant dashcam footage to come forward. The CHP hopes that additional information will help piece together the circumstances that led to this deadly crash.
The names and conditions of the injured passengers have not been released, and the bus company involved in the crash has yet to issue a public statement.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.