California Bus Accident Leaves One Dead, Six Critically Injured

Recently, a church bus that was traveling west from Pasadena on Highway 189 collided into another vehicle on the opposing side of traffic before crashing into a telephone pole, traveling down an embankment and finally striking a cedar tree, according to The Pasadena Star-News. The 25-passenger bus crashed into a Nissan Murano driven by the San Bernardino County Fire Battalion Chief, who was not injured. The 61-year-old bus driver was killed and six passengers were critically injured with one, a 12-year-old girl, sustaining a severe brain injury. A total of twelve people were hospitalized for varying degrees of injury, with three requiring surgery.

The 12-year-old girl also suffered internal abdominal bleeding in addition to her California brain injury. Doctors say her biggest challenge will be regaining brain function and she is in “extremely critical condition.” The girl is the most severely injured of all the victims and could be transferred to a children’s hospital once she is stable. At the time this article was written, the child was still unconscious.

The cause of the crash is unknown, though investigators have determined that neither weather nor alcohol were factors. A thorough investigation of the bus itself may provide some answers in regards to whether or not the bus was in proper working order at the time of the crash. If it is determined that some form of negligence contributed to the crash and the occupants’ subsequent fatal and serious injuries, the negligent party could be held liable.

At The Mandell Law Firm, our aggressive California car accident brain injury attorneys understand the stress that comes with a traumatic brain injury. Such an injury can alter the lives of not only the individual, but also those of family members who must now care for that individual. Surgeries, round-the-clock medical care, rehabilitation, and other necessary care can quickly drain a family’s finances. If the brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, our lawyers can help you understand your rights and ensure that you are compensated fairly. While no amount of money will take back what happened, it can ease the financial burden substantially. Call 818-886-6600 to learn more about how our attorneys can help.