LEBANON, Pa.–An investigation is under way after a Lebanon Transit bus careened out of control through part of Lebanon City following a crash Wednesday night, injuring 17 people.
The incident unfolded shortly after 11:30 p.m. when 33-year-old Jose Otero-Perez Jr. ran a red light and struck a Lebanon Transit bus at the intersection of Chestnut and 10th Streets, according to Lebanon City police reports.
Otero-Perez, of North Cornwall Township, did not have a valid driver’s license, police said.
Police say a passenger door on the bus was opened during the crash, which engaged a locking mechanism on the rear wheels. The locking mechanism does not have enough pressure to stop a moving bus, according to police reports.
The bus was unable to stop and kept going east on Chestnut Street. The bus driver, identified as 43-year-old Dawn Fradera, of Lebanon, turned north onto 9th Street and went through a red light, according to police reports. A woman driving north on 9th Street swerved to avoid crashing into the bus and struck a building on the corner.
The bus continued onto Church Street where it clipped a church. Fradera spotted a dumpster and drove into the side of it in an attempt to stop the bus, according to police reports. The impact of the crash sent the dumpster into a utility pole and a residence on the corner of Church and Gannon Streets. No one inside the home was injured.
17 people onboard the bus were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Police continue their investigation to determine if the accident was caused by a mechanical malfunction or driver error.
Lebanon Transit issued the following statement to FOX43 News:
“A Lebanon Transit bus was traveling East on Chestnut Street in
Lebanon, PA. While traveling through the green traffic signal at the
intersection of 10th and Chestnut Streets the bus was struck by a
vehicle going through a red traffic signal traveling South on 10th
Street. The bus was hit at the front left corner.
We are currently investigating what prevented the bus from stopping
after the initial impact.
Lebanon Transit is in the process of hiring an independent third party
to perform a thorough investigation. We are working with our
insurance company to provide a qualified provider for the
investigation.
Lebanon Transit has an excellent safety record and prides itself in
providing safe transportation to our customers.
Our thoughts are with the customers, their families and the Lebanon
Community. The safety of our customers and our employees is always
our first priority. – Theresa Giurintano, Executive Director, Lebanon
Transit.”
