Muni Bus Driver Still Critical After Horrific Marina District Crash
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The driver of a San Francisco Muni bus that crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a building in the Marina District Monday morning remains in critical condition, according to officials.
The collision near the intersection of Lombard and Scott streets was reported around 5:44 a.m. and at least four people were hurt, fire officials said.
San Francisco police Lt. Amy Hurwitz said the driver was taken to San Francisco General with life-threatening injuries and a passenger was also transported with injuries not considered life threatening.
The 28 Muni bus was eastbound on Lombard when for some unknown reason the driver veered over the center divide, careened across the on-coming lanes, went onto the sidewalk, struck a tree and then plowed into the building.
A driver's dash cam happened to catch the crash as the Muni bus came careening across Lombard Street in the wrong direction.
The clip shows the bus coming across the median before it crashes into a tree, ripping down a storefront awning and landing on top of a white van, shooting sparks into the air.
Across the street a hotel camera captured the same thing. The dry cleaner's front window took a direct hit.
In a third clip, a surveillance camera captures the violent impact where debris cab be seen falling off the camera. Inside the Muni bus, a dog runs to safety.
Sanjay Grover, his wife Kavita and their 18-month-old son were sleeping inside the Days Inn that he manages, just feet from the crash.
"My guests are sleeping 100 feet from there. Not even; more like 10 feet," said the hotel manager.
Kavita Grover said if the tree hadn't slowed the bus impact, the accident could've been much worse.
"The tree was a speed breaker and a lot of things have been saved," she said.
Loren Winfrey, the manager of Toscalito Tire and Automotive, said his shop was closed down for the majority of the morning after the accident.
"It just looked like chaos," said Winfrey.
He also commented on the tree absorbing the impact of the bus, as well as the timing of the crash in what is often a busy area.
"Could've been much worse. If it was a half hour later, this area gets very busy. There's usually 20,30, 40, 50 people always walking up and down the street so it could've been really tragic," said Winfrey.
The Muni driver has not been identified, but the SFMTA confirmed he is 66 years old and has been with Muni for 38 years.
Muni officials said they don't know what caused the crash.
The driver remained in critical condition as of Monday afternoon. His family has been with him at the hospital all day.
"Our hearts and prayers are going out to the family of this individual," said SFMTA spokesperson Paul Rose
A city inspector was called in to evaluate the structural damage to the building that was hit by the bus, according to fire officials.
The crash remained under investigation. It was not known if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
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