Police Ticket Driver They Say Cut Off Queens Casino Bus, Causing Crash
NEW YORK (CBSNweYork/AP) -- The NYPD has ticketed a driver who they said caused a casino bus to crash into a three-story apartment building in Queens.
With almost an entire side of the building gone, crews worked overnight trying to make repairs.
The crash happened around 2:24 p.m. Monday at 63rd Avenue near Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.
PHOTOS: Bus Crashes Into Queens Building
Witnesses said the Resorts World Casino bus, driven by James Honorat, was traveling northbound in the bus lane of Woodhaven Boulevard when an SUV cut in front of it to make a right turn. The bus swerved out of the way, slamming into the building at the corner of 63rd Avenue.
"The guy in the lane was gonna make a right and he went to make a right in front of him and the only way for the bus to avoid was to swerve into the building," said witness Ann Marie Constantides. "He tried to avoid this at all costs. It wasn't his fault at all."
Officials said on Tuesday the driver was issued a summons for making an improper turn from the far left lane.
Colette Landers was about to step into the shower when the bus tore down her wall.
"I literally flew into the wall, turned around and saw the back of my apartment missing and ran out," she said.
Witnesses immediately jumped into action. Cell phone video shows 19-year-old Ravendra Persaud helping to pull passengers out.
"This one lady was screaming because she was really scared and nervous so we helped her get out," he said.
The one person he couldn't help was the driver.
"I tried to move the glass and the bricks and everything that was blocking him, but it was too much," he said.
Emergency crews eventually used the Jaws of Life to free Honorat. The area near his seat was completely destroyed, but luckily first responders said they expect him to be OK.
At least six were hospitalized, with Honorat sustaining the most serious injuries with cuts to his face and hands. Two others refused treatment at the scene.
Sources at the bus company told CBS2 that Honorat was well-rested and on his first day back to work after the weekend.
Honorat was not charged and officials said his license is valid.
A vacate order was issued for the apartment building, which houses a mortgage services company, a law office and two residential apartments, said Buildings Department spokesman Alexander Schnell.
The company said in a statement it is cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation.
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