South El Monte, CA — December 18 2024, 11 people were injured in a bus accident at about 6 a.m. on Rosemead Boulevard near Klingerman Street.

Authorities said a Metro bus was traveling north when it crashed into a semi-truck loaded with lumber that had been parked near a local hardware store.

Eleven people were injured in the crash, including one in critical condition, according to authorities. The others suffered undisclosed injuries described as moderate to minor. Seven people were transported to local hospitals.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.

The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

A crash like this one, where a Metro bus collides with a parked semi-truck, raises critical questions about how such an incident occurred and whether it could have been prevented. With 11 people injured, including one critically, the stakes are high for a thorough investigation to identify the underlying causes and ensure accountability.

The first issue that stands out is the location of the parked semi-truck. Was it legally parked in a way that complied with local ordinances and safety guidelines? Commercial trucks are sometimes parked in places where they shouldn’t be, such as along busy streets or near intersections, creating hazards for other drivers. Investigators should determine whether the truck’s placement adhered to the rules and, if not, why it was there in the first place.

Even if the truck was parked legally, its visibility is a crucial factor. Was it properly marked with lights or reflective materials, especially given that the crash occurred early in the morning when visibility might have been limited? Semi-trucks loaded with materials like lumber can be especially dangerous when parked because they blend into their surroundings, making them harder to see. If the truck wasn’t properly marked, the owner or operator may bear some responsibility for creating an unsafe condition.

The bus driver’s actions also warrant scrutiny. Was the driver distracted, fatigued or otherwise impaired? Were they adhering to the speed limit and paying appropriate attention to the road? Public transit drivers are held to high standards of care due to the number of lives they’re responsible for, and understanding whether the driver met those standards is critical to determining fault.

The condition of both vehicles involved should also be examined. Did the bus have any mechanical issues, such as failing brakes, that contributed to the crash? Was the truck’s load of lumber properly secured, and did it create additional hazards during or after the collision? These factors can significantly affect the severity of the crash and the resulting injuries.

Finally, the design of the roadway should not be overlooked. Was Rosemead Boulevard wide enough to accommodate a parked truck and still allow for safe passage of traffic? Were there any features, such as poorly marked lanes or obstructed sightlines, that may have contributed to the crash? If systemic issues with the roadway played a role, addressing them could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

This crash highlights the importance of ensuring that commercial vehicles are parked safely and visibly, especially in urban areas where space is limited, and traffic is dense. It also underscores the need for thorough investigations into all aspects of such incidents — from driver behavior to roadway design — to fully understand what went wrong and how it can be avoided in the future. For the injured passengers and the community at large, finding these answers is essential for both accountability and safety.