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Santa Clarita, CA (May 14, 2026) – A gravel-hauling semi-truck crashed into a transit bus and two other vehicles on Wednesday, May 13, leaving 13 people hurt. The collision happened at around 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Pkwy.
According to officials, the truck was traveling at approximately 70 mph in a 50 mph zone when it approached a yellow light at the intersection. The driver attempted a right turn to avoid running the red light and struck a Santa Clarita Transit bus and two white sedans. The impact was severe enough that the semi overturned, the intersection was blanketed in gravel, and one vehicle ended up partially lodged under the bus.
One person, a bus passenger, had to be pulled from the vehicle using rescue equipment and remained hospitalized in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon. Seven others were taken to hospitals, while five people at the scene declined treatment. The crash also forced changes to school bus routes serving two local high schools while the intersection remained closed.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, and additional details will be released as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
What Happens When a Semi-Truck Crashes Into a Bus in California?
Crashes between large commercial trucks and passenger buses tend to result in widespread injuries because of the sheer size and weight difference involved. A fully loaded gravel truck can weigh many times more than a transit bus, and when the two collide at speed, the force is distributed across everyone on board. Bus passengers have limited ability to brace for impact, and those standing or seated near the point of contact face the greatest risk.
Speed and intersection design often come up in the review of these crashes. When a heavy truck enters an intersection above the posted limit, stopping distance increases dramatically, and the consequences of a misjudgment — like a last-second turn — can be severe. California law holds commercial drivers to strict standards given the size of the vehicles they operate.
