A school bus traveling with seven students from the Temecula Valley Unified School District was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Temecula, the California Highway Patrol announced Saturday.
The crash was reported at 3:25 p.m. Friday on Butterfield Stage Road just north of Pauba Road, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.
The 48-year-old driver of the 2017 Bluebird, 44-passenger school bus was traveling northbound on Butterfield Stage Road just north of Pauba Road at approximately 40 mph, according to the CHP.
At the same time, a 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by 28-year-old Mariah Reese from San Jacinto was also traveling northbound on Butterfield Stage Road just north of Pauba Road at approximately 70 mph, approaching the rear of the school bus, according to Lassig.
Reese allegedly attempted to pass the school bus on the right shoulder of Butterfield Stage Road, but her vehicle’s right tires struck the curb, causing the car to ricochet off the curb and crash into the right side of the school bus.
The force of the crash caused the school bus driver to lose control of the bus, causing it to cross into the opposing southbound traffic lane.
A 39-year-old woman from Temecula was traveling southbound on Butterfield Stage Road just north of Pauba Road in her 2017 Toyota Highlander when she saw the bus traveling out of control towards her car.
The Temecula woman, whose name was not released, took evasive action, but was unable to avoid the school bus, according to Lassig. The school bus crashed into the left side of the Highlander, causing major damage.
Passerbys called 911, and the CHP responded alongside Cal Fire, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and American Medical Response.
The school bus was transporting seven students between the ages of 7 and 10. Two of the students were taken to Temecula Valley Hospital with complaints of pain, and the bus driver was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center with moderate injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Highlander was taken to the Temecula Valley Hospital with minor to moderate injuries, according to Lassig.
CHP investigators determined Reese was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, and she was arrested under the suspicion of felony DUI. She was subsequently booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
The CHP reminded the public that driving under the influence is completely avoidable, and advised to always designate a driver.