An 87-year-old man suspected of rear-ending a school bus in Desert Hot Springs, then maneuvering around it and striking a group of children — killing a 9-year-old girl and injuring three others — is out on bail Friday.
Robert Hanson of Desert Hot Springs, who was being held at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death, posted $75,000 bail on Friday. He is tentatively set to appear in court on Feb. 17 at the Larson Justice Center, according to jail records.
Hanson was driving a white Cadillac sedan and allegedly rear-ended the bus around 4 p.m. Thursday in the 17500 block of Corkill Road, according to California Highway Patrol officer David Torres. No injuries were reported among the students on the bus.
After the crash, Hanson allegedly drove around the bus, veering onto the right shoulder of southbound Corkill Road, hitting a speed limit sign and plowing into four young students walking on the shoulder, Torres said.
Monica Gonzalez Guzman, 9, of Desert Hot Springs died and three other students suffered varying injuries, Torres said.
Hanson and the injured victims were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment.
KESQ reported the children are students at Julius Corsini Elementary School. A parent who went to the scene of the crash Thursday told the station there are no sidewalks along Corkill, and students are forced to walk along the shoulder of the roadway.
“It is overwhelming to hear and process this kind of tragic news,” Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Mike Swize said in a statement. “We want our families and staff to know that we are here for them to provide any support they need now or in the coming days and weeks ahead. All of us at Palm Springs Unified extend our heartfelt condolences at this most difficult time.”
The investigation into the crash was continuing, but authorities said drugs and alcohol were not factors.