A California bus crash has left four people dead and at least seven others seriously injured on Wednesday. According to ABC News , the crash occurred around 2:15 am on Interstate 10 , just west of Blythe near the Arizona boarder.
The crash was reportedly triggered by a tractor-tailor load of steel pipes which spilled onto the highway. Terri Kasinga of the transportation department said that the California bus was either attempting to avoid the pipes or struck them before it overturned and slid across the shoulder before falling 50 feet down an embankment.
According to MyFoxPhoenix , the bus was traveling from El Paso, Texas to Los Angeles, California and held 32 confirmed passengers. While there have been four confirmed deaths, California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Gerard told reporters that seven seriously injured passengers were taken to local area hospitals, and an additional 14 others “sought evaluations” for minor injuries including bruises and other minor abrasions.
The El Paso bus was reportedly operated by El Pas-Los Angeles Limousine Express Inc. As of this report, it is unknown whether or not the buss driver was one of those injured during the crash. The tractor-trailer reportedly had an insignia on it for VG Transport of Rialto, according to Gerard. The driver of the tractor-trailer reportedly was not hurt in the incident.
Wire Update reported that both East and Westbound lanes of Interstate 10 had been blocked as a result of the California bus crash, which caused traffic to be backed up for miles in both directions on the main road linking Southern California and Arizona. Kasinga told reporters that the traffic mess resulting from the crash was expected to cause lane closures in both directions that would last until late this afternoon
In order to keep traffic flowing throughout the day, road officials diverted traffic onto frontage roads, according to ABC News . Signs were also posted along the interstate which urged driver to find alternate routes until the California bus crash could be investigated and cleared up.
The crash is still being investigated at this time. Stay with The Inquisitr as more information becomes available on the California bus crash that left four killed and another seven seriously injured.
[Image via Shutterstock/ spirit of america ]
