A passenger bus traveling from El Paso to Los Angeles overturned on the 10 Freeway near Blythe, killing 4 early Wednesday, May 21st. The bus driver was forced to swerve to avoid debris after a big rig jackknifed. The bus was found 50 feet off of the freeway on its side.
The crash occurred around 2:00 a.m. just east of Blythe. According to authorities, the big rig in question was traveling east on the 10 Freeway when it jackknifed, spilling its load of steel pipes onto both sides of the freeway. The bus driver, driving west, attempted to avoid the debris, but left the Interstate in the process.
Four bus passengers were confirmed dead. At least three other passengers were airlifted and four more were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. 14 other bus passengers were taken to a local hospital via a different bus for minor injuries.
The bus was operated by the El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express Bus company. The bus had just stopped in Phoenix prior to the crash. The company said that the bus was expected to arrive in Los Angeles at 7:00 a.m., but did not have any details about the crash at that time.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the scene. The 10 Freeway was expected to be closed into Wednesday afternoon.
