California Injury Blog
One person died and three others were injured in a crash between a car and a school bus.
Anthony Ramirez, 57, who was driving an SUV, died in the collision, while three people in a school bus suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The accident happened on the morning of May 12 when the vehicles collided near Lake Elsinore.
According to a report in The Press-Enterprise, the crash was reported on Riverside Street near Highway 74. Ramirez, the driver of the 2009 Chevy HHR, had to be cut out of the SUV. He died in an area hospital from his injuries.
Fatality and Injuries
The school bus was making a left turn from northbound Riverside Street onto westbound Highway 74 when it was broadsided by the eastbound SUV, California Highway Patrol officials said. The intersection is controlled by stoplights. Investigators are trying to determine which vehicle may have run a red light at the intersection.
Two students on the school bus, an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, were hospitalized with injuries and were later released. The 69-year-old bus driver was not injured, officials said. A 20-year-old passenger on the bus also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected by this crash.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that one of the vehicles – the SUV or the school bus – may have run a red light at the intersection. Vehicles are required to yield the right of way appropriately at street intersections. California law required drivers to obey red lights and stop signs. While making a left turn, the driver making the turn must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles, unless they have a green arrow.
In such cases, it would be in the best interests of injured victims or families of deceased victims to contact an experienced Riverside County personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the affected parties are fairly and fully compensated for their losses. In cases where injury claims involve governmental agencies such as cities or school districts, please remember that a notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of the incident, under California Government Code 911.2.
Source: https://www.pe.com/2022/05/12/motorist-dies-2-children-injured-in-lake-elsinore-school-bus-collision/