Jamestown, CA — According to C.H.P. Officer Tom Wills it was an apparent driver error and not a mechanical malfunction that caused last Friday´s two bus collision on Hwy 108 at Soulsbyville Rd.
The C.H.P.´s Multi-Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) from Fresno conducted a preliminary field investigation and an in-depth investigation at Vic´s Towing this week only to discover there was no mechanical malfunction with the brakes on the second Sierra Pacific tour bus that hit the first tour bus and then crossed a median and a roadway before coming to a stop in a field located in the northwest corner of the highly traveled intersection.
Wills adds that investigators also discovered that both the brake and tail lights of the lead bus, which was stopped at the signal, were fully operational.
Wills then stated that Officer Brian Bowman´s investigation will continue to determine if there was negligence on the part of the driver. If he is found at fault the bus company and the driver could potentially be involved in lengthy litigation.
53 year Agusto Laguno of Pittsburgh, CA was the driver of the second bus transporting LDS campers back home to Fremont following a stay in the High Country. Laguno suffered serious leg injuries and had to be lifeflighted to Memorial Hospital in Modesto.
Written by Bill Johnson
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:49 pm