A Greyhound bus traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco overturned on a rainy highway in San Jose Tuesday, killing two women and injuring nine other people, including the bus driver, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The crash occurred about 6:40 a.m. as the driver transitioned from northbound Highway 101 to northbound Highway 85 in south San Jose, said CHP Officer Chris Miceli of the Gilroy office.
Miceli said the bus — carrying 18 to 20 passengers — struck yellow impact barrels in a gore point and overturned on its right side. The barrels, filled with sand or water, are there to prevent a vehicle from slamming directly into the concrete freeway abutment, he said.
The driver denied broadcast reports that he had fallen asleep at the wheel, said Miceli.
According to Miceli, the driver said he was aware that the bus struck the barrels, then he lost consciousness. When the driver came to, the bus was on its side, according to Miceli.
The fatal victims, whose names were not released, died at the scene, said the officer.
The bus was No. 86558 and traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Greyhound spokeswoman Lanesha Gipson said.
Gipson said a “friends and family” hotline number has been established — (800) 972-4583 — has been established for people to call for information.
“We’re cooperating fully with local authorities on their investigation and conducting our own,” Gipson said.
—City News Service