AUGUST 13, 2009 - A 23-year-old man suffered major injuries when his car collided head-on with a bus in Bonsall, authorities said. A bus passenger was also slightly injured. Roman Mercado of Hemet was driving a 2002 Chrysler Sebring east on Highway 76 (Mission Road) near Olive Road when he crossed over the double yellow line about 2 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Mercado’s vehicle collided with the left front of a North County Transit District bus that was traveling westbound on Hwy 76, authorities said. Mercado suffered a major leg injury and was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, the CHP said. One of the nine passengers on the bus suffered a minor injury. Drugs or alcohol are not considered a factor in the crash. The CHP is continuing to investigate the bus collision.
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JUNE 23, 2009 - A motorist was hospitalized following a five-vehicle accident that included a school bus, authorities said. The accident happened shortly before 8 a.m. on northbound State Route 163 near Mesa College Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. One vehicle reportedly flipped onto its side. The motorist was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, according to a San Diego fire-rescue dispatcher. The victim’s condition is unknown. The CHP is investigating the crash.
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JANUARY 9, 2009 – A 82-year-old man was struck and killed by a Greyhound charter bus while running and trying to board the bus after it had already left the station, San Diego police have reported. The accident happened at the 5900 Rail Court Greyhound station near East Beyer Boulevard at around 8:15 p.m. The man, whose identity has not been released, was run over and dragged by the bus after he apparently lost his footing. He was pronounced dead when paramedics and police arrived at the scene. San Diego police are investigating the San Ysidro bus accident.
DECEMBER 18, 2008 – The Houston Chronicle reported yesterday that a settlement has been reached in a January 2 charter bus crash that killed a 55-year-old Houston man and injured 44 other people. A settlement reached with the bus driver, owners, and managers was made public yesterday. The bus companies had limited insurance, and the $10 million settlement represented the maximum insurance proceeds available in the case.
The accident happened on January 2, 2008 on U.S. 59 near Victoria, Texas. The bus driver fell asleep and went off the road near the U.S. 77 interchange, flipping the bus on its side. The bus was en route from Monterrey, Mexico, to Houston, Texas. The driver of the bus had multiple convictions for driving while intoxicated, although he was not drunk at the time of the crash.
The family of Pedro Mendez, 55, of Houston, who died in the accident, was awarded $4.3 million. The other 44 injured victims who filed claims will share the remaining $5.7 million settlement.
