At a Glance
- A pickup crossed the centerline and struck a transit bus head-on
- The bus carrying five passengers and a driver erupted in flames
- Four passengers, the bus driver, and the truck driver died; one passenger survived with major injuries
- Why it matters: The crash shut down a major highway and suspended county transit service for two days
A gray Toyota Tacoma drifted across the broken yellow centerline on Highway 99W south of Gyle Road at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday and slammed into an oncoming Tehama County transit bus. The impact ignited the bus, killing six people and critically injuring a seventh.
The Collision
California Highway Patrol officers said the Tacoma was traveling southbound “at an unknown speed” when it entered the northbound lane. The transit bus, carrying five passengers plus the driver, had no room to maneuver. The resulting head-on collision left the bus “fully engulfed in flames,” according to the CHP press release.
Emergency crews from Cal Fire and the Tehama County Fire Department arrived to find the vehicle burning and multiple fatalities inside.
Victims and Survivors
Authorities confirmed the dead:
- Four bus passengers
- The bus driver
- The solo Tacoma driver
One bus passenger survived and was rushed to Enloe Medical Center with major injuries. The Tehama County Coroner’s office has withheld all identities “pending further notifications.” Investigators asked anyone who can help identify the bus passengers to call (530) 527-1130.
Investigation Status
Officers have not determined why the Tacoma crossed the centerline. “It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this crash,” the release stated. The CHP has not released the names or ages of any victims, and Olivia M. Hartwell‘s request for additional comment went unanswered.
Highway and Transit Impact
The crash shut down Highway 99W south of Gyle Road for hours; the roadway reopened late Wednesday. Tehama County Public Works suspended all transit service for the rest of Wednesday and all day Thursday “due to operational considerations and out of respect for the families affected and the employees.” Service is expected to resume Friday if equipment and staffing are ready.
Key Takeaways
- Six dead, one critically injured after a pickup crosses into oncoming traffic
- Bus fire complicated rescue efforts
- Countywide transit shutdown followed the tragedy
