Maryland Bus Accident Leaves Over 15 Injured

A Maryland Transit Administration CityLink Blue bus collided with two cars before crashing into a building, resulting in injuries to more than 15 individuals, in Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday. Thankfully, the injuries are not believed to be critical, the Maryland Department of Transportation said.

Baltimore bus collides with several cars and crashes into building, over 12 injured https://t.co/7JfaUHdyCg pic.twitter.com/Qq16GQKtBe

— New York Post (@nypost) June 17, 2023

Eyewitnesses report that around 10:15 a.m., the bus, while trying to avoid a collision, first struck a black Lexus and then a Nissan SUV. The bus driver skillfully swerved to avoid further disaster before unintentionally hitting a building in the 500 block of West Franklin Street, causing partial collapse.

According to eyewitnesses, the black Lexus ran a red light after the collision and then struck a traffic pole. Meanwhile, the bus had swerved off the road right after hitting the Lexus, a move that reportedly led to a better outcome.

Upon arrival, fire officials promptly evacuated the building due to concerns over structural integrity. However, it was later determined that the damage was less severe than initially expected. While the first level of the building sustained damage, the upper levels remain unaffected, and residents of the first-floor apartments will be able to return home soon.

Authorities confirmed that none of the injured individuals were pedestrians or occupants of the apartment building. The driver was however among those that got wounded. The injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening, with only one person among the injured refusing medical treatment, according to the Baltimore Banner.

As of now, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by both Baltimore City and MTA police. The focus of their inquiry will be to determine the events leading up to the crash and shed light on any contributing factors.

While authorities have not provided further information on the case, witnesses say that the lack of fatal or critical victims is largely owed to the MTA bus driver. Renee Bunch, a witness to the incident, commended the quick thinking and wisdom displayed by the bus driver. 

“This bus driver here saved a lot of lives,” she recounted. “We were at the light, and he went into the building. If he wouldn’t have gone into the building, he would have smashed into all of us. We were the third car down.”