Early morning crash on State Route 60 leaves dozens hospitalized and one person dead as investigation continues
BY Joe D | nbprime.com
LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2025 — A devastating crash involving a tour bus and a disabled SUV on a Los Angeles freeway left one person dead and 32 others injured early Sunday morning, turning Mother’s Day into a scene of chaos and heartbreak.
The accident occurred around 5:00 a.m. local time on State Route 60 in the Hacienda Heights area. A Nissan Pathfinder, reportedly stalled on the westbound side of the freeway, was struck from behind by a tour bus carrying more than 60 passengers en route from Indio, California to Koreatown in Los Angeles, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The collision caused the SUV to burst into flames, trapping its lone passenger inside. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not yet been released by authorities.
Chaos on the Freeway
The bus, driven by 55-year-old Sui Sheng Du, veered across multiple lanes following the impact before crashing into a guardrail on the right shoulder. The front of the bus was destroyed in the crash, and passengers described a terrifying scene inside.
“People were begging for mercy,” said Joe Runnel, one of the passengers, in an interview with KTLA. “I was thrown forward, glass was everywhere, people were screaming… it was pure panic.”
According to CHP Officer Zachary Salazar, 32 passengers were taken to hospitals in the area, with most sustaining moderate to minor injuries. Two individuals are reported to be in critical condition.
Authorities said the fire was limited to the SUV and did not spread to the bus, preventing what could have been an even more catastrophic outcome.
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Investigation Underway
Initial reports from the CHP suggest that the tour bus slammed into the back of the disabled SUV at high speed, causing the fire that led to the fatality. The exact cause of the SUV’s breakdown remains unknown. Investigators do not believe that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.
The westbound lanes of SR-60 between Azusa Avenue and Hacienda Boulevard were shut down for several hours as emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and begin a full investigation. By 7:30 a.m., some lanes had reopened.
A Deadly Reminder About Roadside Safety
This crash adds to a string of high-profile incidents involving passenger buses and disabled vehicles in recent years. Road safety experts often cite poor visibility and high-speed conditions on freeways as deadly combinations, particularly in the early morning hours when traffic is sparse but fast-moving.
“Even a stalled vehicle can become a death trap in seconds,” said Elena Parra, a transportation safety analyst not affiliated with the investigation. “This is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be changed on the road.”
1 killed, 32 injured in collision of bus and SUV on Los Angeles area freeway https://t.co/uVIptKiDTJ pic.twitter.com/z6mGxV2WrD
— The Independent (@Independent) May 11, 2025
Tour Buses and Safety Scrutiny
Tour buses in California operate under strict state and federal regulations, but crashes involving fatigued drivers, mechanical issues, or sudden obstructions continue to raise concerns. The company operating the bus has not yet been publicly named.
Authorities are now focused on reconstructing the moments leading up to the crash and will examine mechanical logs, surveillance footage, and onboard data from the bus.
Conclusion
As families gathered to celebrate Mother’s Day, one family was left grieving a tragic and unexpected loss. For the dozens of others who survived the crash, recovery — both physical and emotional — will take time. The incident has already sparked renewed calls for increased visibility precautions and roadside assistance access for broken-down vehicles.
