EB 60 Fwy In Hacienda Heights Reopened After Crash Involving 2 Big Rigs, Tour Bus
HACIENDA HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — An accident involving two big rigs and a tour bus Wednesday shut down several lanes of the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights.
The crash was reported at 9:42 a.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway at Seventh Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
"One truck struck another truck . . . the impact caused [the second truck] to go toward the center median . . . to cause the second impact of the truck and the charter bus," CHP Officer Perez said.
The bus was carrying 19 people and headed to Pala Casino in San Diego County.
"My understanding is that eight were not injured at all, 13 were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries," he said.
Three eastbound lanes were reopened around 12:20 p.m., while the number 4 and 5 lanes remained closed until at least 1 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
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The bus is operated by Bus Limo Express in Monterey Park, which has a clean safety record. However, CBS2's David Goldstein noted that the rear of the bus involved in Wednesday's crash was operated by Da Zhen, which has a murkier record.
According to the state Public Utilities Commission website, Da Zhen Travel Agency Charter's certificate was suspended on Dec. 19 and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says the company is not authorized to carry passengers.
A tour bus operated by Da Zhen overturned in Irwindale in 2013, injuring 52 people, when authorities say it changed lanes and hit another car. Da Zhen Travel's record includes four moving violations in the past two years, including three for speeding 15 miles or more over the limit, according to federal officials.
Da Zhen and Bus Limo Express, which operate out of the same office on Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, were not available for comment.
Federal officials say that even though Da Zhen's license is suspended, the bus can operate legally with another licensed operator such as Bus Limo Express.
