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LA PUENTE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 29, 2026 — A man was injured Monday night, September 28, when he was struck by a Foothill Transit bus at Valley Blvd and S Covina Blvd in La Puente, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol received a report of the crash shortly before 9:25 p.m. involving Foothill Transit bus No. 2411 on Route 194 and a pedestrian. Dispatch logs show the man was on the roadside and reportedly told a caller he had been hit by the bus, though he would not answer further questions before the call was disconnected.
A short time later, around 10:18 p.m., the man reportedly told responders he had been assaulted before he was struck, according to CHP dispatch notes. That claim has not been independently confirmed and remains part of the investigation. Units were asked to respond to evaluate his condition.
The extent of the man's injuries has not been released. It is not yet known whether the bus was carrying passengers at the time or whether any citations have been issued.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing to look into the circumstances of the crash, including the man's account of an assault before he was hit. No further details have been released.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Bus and Pedestrian Crashes
Many people assume that because buses are large, slow-moving vehicles, they pose less risk to pedestrians than cars do. In practice, size and limited maneuverability can make bus crashes harder to avoid once a pedestrian steps into the roadway, and a bus driver's blind spots are larger than those of a typical passenger vehicle.
Another assumption is that pedestrian injuries mostly stem from vehicles running red lights or speeding through crosswalks. Citywide pedestrian safety data suggests the picture is broader than that, encompassing visibility issues, distraction, and behavior on both sides of the interaction.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities decreased from 1,213 in 2022 to 1,106 in 2023. The decline shows pedestrian deaths are not simply climbing year over year, even as individual crashes like bus and pedestrian collisions continue to draw scrutiny from investigators and transit agencies alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, but drivers and pedestrians both have a duty to watch for each other and avoid a collision when possible.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections and bus stops, checking mirrors and blind spots before turning, and avoiding distractions all help drivers spot pedestrians earlier.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries, since they have no protection from the impact.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Common factors include driver distraction, failure to yield at crosswalks, poor visibility at night, and pedestrians crossing outside of designated areas.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in La Puente, CA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 right away so paramedics can evaluate the injured person, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours to become apparent.
Staying at the scene until officers arrive helps ensure an accurate report, and if it's safe, taking photos of the area, including lighting, signage, and vehicle positions, can be useful later. Getting the names and contact information of any witnesses is also worthwhile, since accounts can be hard to track down afterward.
The injured victims should follow up with a doctor even after being cleared at the scene, and keep records of any medical visits related to the crash.
