Traffic Collision Kills MTA Bus Driver; Tow Truck Driver in Grave Condition NR13200cj

Los Angeles: On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, around 5:05 a.m., a collision occurred when a tow truck driver traveling southbound on Broadway drove through the intersection against a red light and collided into an  Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus with no passengers which was traveling westbound on 5th Street.  The force of the impact caused the MTA bus to run off the roadway and collide with a fire hydrant. The same force of impact also caused the tow truck to run off the roadway and collide into a convenient store located on the southwest corner of 5th Street and Broadway.  The impact between the tow truck driver and the convenient store caused debris to strike the store clerk causing minor injuries.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the tow truck driver and the MTA bus driver to a nearby hospital. The tow truck driver is listed in grave condition and the MTA bus driver failed to respond to treatment by medical personnel and succumbed to her injuries. The names of the tow truck driver and the MTA bus driver are being withheld pending further investigation.

LAPD Central Traffic Division detectives’ investigation revealed the tow truck was traveling at about 50 to 60 miles per hour when he ran the red light and collided with the MTA bus.  This investigation is currently on-going.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call LAPD Central Traffic Division at (213) 972-1825.  Media is asked to call LAPD Media Relations Section at (213) 485-5910 for inquiries on this release. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.