12 taken to hospital after car, MTA bus crash in northwest Baltimore, officials say
A Maryland Transit Administration bus and a car crashed Friday afternoon in Baltimore, causing the bus to strike a second vehicle and a bus stop, said Detective Jeremy Silbert, of the Baltimore Police Department.
Officials said a preliminary investigation shows that, around 1:30 p.m. Friday, a car traveling westbound on North Avenue ran a red light and struck an MTA bus traveling southbound on Bentalou Street. Officials said the bus then struck another vehicle and ran into a bus shelter.
"It is preliminary and under investigation but it appears the car went through the red light and hit our bus and it had the green (light). We just hope everyone comes out of it OK," MTA spokesman Paul Shepard said.
A patrol officer was flagged down by a civilian after the collision.
Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Roman Clark said the two drivers and 10 people on the bus were taken to local hospitals. The driver of the car was taken to the hospital in serious but not life-threatening condition. The bus driver was taken to a trauma center in serious but not life-threatening condition.
"It appears our bus was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Shepard said.
Officials are unsure if anyone was in the bus shelter when it was struck.
Officials with the MTA are leading the investigation. The Baltimore Fire Department responded.
"We are obviously concerned for all involved. We are happy (that), at this point, there are no life-threatening injuries involved," Shepard said.
"My heart is racing for the people that got hurt," said Taylor McCarty.
McCarty said she and her boyfriend were driving on North Avenue when they saw the bus crash into the shelter and saw people in need of help.
"The bus driver could not move. My boyfriend had to break the glass. His arm was all cut up. He kept going unconscious," McCarty said.
The intersection was closed for some time.