Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
10 Dead After FedEx Truck Hits Bus Carrying L.A. High Schoolers In Northern California
At least 10 people have died after a Fed Ex semitrailer hit a bus full of students from Los Angeles area high schools on I-5 in Orland, California yesterday at 5:30 p.m. California Highway Patrol said the FedEx vehicle crossed a grassy median and then struck the bus, which then burst into flames. Dozens were also injured.
According to the LA Times, "The victims included five students, three adult chaperones, the driver of the truck, and the driver of the bus... Although officials said they were aware of students from Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Koreatown and Manual Arts High School in South L.A. participating in the trip, which was not organized by L.A. Unified, it was unclear whether they were on the bus. Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino wrote on Faceboook and tweeted that two Banning High School students were on the bus but had survived."
A total of 48 people were on the bus: 44 students, three chaperones, and the driver. One of the students told the AP that they were just watching movies or listening to music, "I just heard this loud boom. We knew we were in major trouble."
The students were going to visit Humboldt State University—they released this statement: "Humboldt State University is deeply saddened by a tragic accident that occurred earlier this evening involving a charter bus filled with prospective students. They were on their way to visit campus for the April 11 Spring Preview event."
Support for LAist comes from
A third car was also in the accident, but no one was injured; the AP reports, "Investigators say the truck driver might have been trying to avoid a passenger car that was also involved in the crash, which shut down north- and south-bound traffic on the freeway." FedEx issued a statement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic accident on I-5 in California. We are cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate."
Both sides of the interstate were closed; they are expected to reopen at 8 a.m.
UPDATE 11:21 p.m.: The Los Angeles Unified School District announced that 19 of their students from 16 high schools in the district were on board the bus. It was one of three buses heading towards Humboldt State for a campus visit, reports NBC Los Angeles. The high schools from which the students came from are San Fernando, Dorsey, Fremont, City of Angels, Manual Arts, Banning, Carson, Chavez, Diego Rivera, Middle College, Belmont, Wilson, Chatsworth, Jefferson, and Grant. So far the only victim identified has been 26 year old Arthur Arzola of Rancho Cucamonga, who was working as a recruiter for Humboldt State. Concerned parents can reach an LAUSD hotline at (213) 241-3841.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist