Authorities are investigating a fiery bus crash on Highway 99 in Tehama County that killed six people.
The Jan. 14 collision was reported around 10 a.m. south of Gyle Road.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a Toyota Tacoma pickup was traveling south on the highway when for unknown reasons, it crossed over the broken yellow center line and collided head-on with a Tehama Rural Area eXpress (TRAX) bus that had six people on board.
The force of the collision caused the bus to catch fire, and it became fully engulfed in flames, investigators said.
The driver and four passengers on the bus were killed. A fifth passenger was taken to Enloe Medical Center in Chico with major injuries, the CHP said.
The driver of the Toyota pickup also was killed, the CHP said.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted during this difficult time,” Tehama County Public Works posted on its Facebook page.
Due to the collision, TRAX service was suspended Thursday, Jan. 15, and it is expected to resume Friday, Jan. 16.
In a news release, the Tehama County Board of Supervisor said, “Tehama County is heartbroken” and the crash “has profoundly impacted the families involved, the TRAX team, and the County family.”
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: CHP investigating bus crash that killed 6 on Hwy. 99 in Tehama County
Reporting by David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
