Scene of Bus Crash in Fairfield, California on the I-80
FAIRFIELD – California
The California Highway Patrol is investigating brake failure Tuesday, as the possible cause of a bus crash on Interstate Highway 80 near Fairfield on Monday afternoon.
The United Coach Tours bus had 49 people aboard when it drove off of the westbound I-80 freeway, and into a fence around 4:30 p.m. It came to rest on the side of Lyon Road, which runs parallel to the I-80, said CHP Officer Richard Weaver.
The bus was on its way to San Francisco from Sacramento with passengers onboard who were returning from a lobbying outing, Weaver said.
Twenty passengers suffered minor injuries, including pain and bruising, and 13 went to hospitals where they were treated and released, Weaver said.
The bus driver, a 38-year-old Yunzho Ma, told investigators that she was having trouble with the air brakes on the right side of the bus, Weaver said.
Ma said she was driving at about 70 mph, and when she tried to slow down the brakes failed, Weaver said.
She then steered to the right and went through the fence, he said.
There were skid marks on the road, possibly indicating that the brakes had locked up, Weaver said.
Ma has worked for the South San Francisco charter bus company since 2004, Weaver said.
CHP officers from the agency’s Solano County office were investigating whether brake failure caused the crash, Weaver said.
If you, your family, or your friends were injured in this bus accident, or any bus accident in the State of California, you may call my firm 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1, or go to our personal injury website at http://thepersonalinjury.com.
Fairfield California Bus Accident Attorney
As all you Californians know, we have had a series of bad storms over the past week. Now this is nothing new to Northern Californians, but Southern Californians are definitely not used to the rain and snow.
On November 1, 2009, the city of San Francisco in California will implement a new policy that prevents city police officers from automatically impounding cars driven by unlicensed drivers. Unlicensed drivers will now be given 20 minutes to find someone with a valid license to drive their car. Only if an unlicensed driver is caught again within six months, is there an automatic 30-day impound, which can cost around $2,500.00.