A morning commute turned chaotic in Santa Clarita on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, when a gravel-hauling semi-truck crashed into a city transit bus and two passenger vehicles at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway. Thirteen people were injured in the collision, including one bus passenger who had to be physically freed from the wreckage and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The crash brought emergency responders, road closures, and significant disruption to the community during the morning rush.
What Happened
The collision was reported around 9:30 a.m. at Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway. According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the driver of the gravel truck — hauling a full load — may have been traveling as fast as 70 mph in a 50 mph zone when he approached a yellow light at the intersection. Rather than stopping, the driver attempted a right turn to avoid running the red light, but lost control and plowed into a Santa Clarita Transit bus and two white sedans. The impact caused the semi and its tandem trailers to overturn, spilling a portion of its gravel load. Aerial footage from the scene showed the transit bus pushed onto a curb with severe front-end damage, an overturned big rig nearby, and at least one passenger vehicle pinned underneath the bus.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Los Angeles County Fire Department crews and Sheriff’s deputies flooded the intersection following the crash. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extract one trapped bus passenger before rushing that individual to a hospital in critical condition. In total, eight people were transported to area hospitals, while three others were treated at the scene and released. Investigators conducted a field sobriety test on the truck driver; drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is continuing to investigate the cause of the collision. Multiple road closures — including all directions of Centre Pointe Parkway between Golden Valley Road and Ruether Avenue — remained in place for several hours as the scene was processed.
Injuries and Community Impact
One person remained in critical condition following the crash, with seven others hospitalized with varying degrees of injury. The collision disrupted morning school bus routes serving Golden Valley and Bowman High Schools, forcing stops to be relocated for the remainder of the day. The Centre Pointe business park and surrounding residential streets experienced significant traffic delays throughout the morning. Community members and transit riders were shaken by the severity of the crash, which authorities described as particularly violent given the speed and weight of the vehicles involved.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Truck Accident
When a large commercial vehicle — especially one that may have been traveling well above the posted speed limit — collides with a passenger vehicle or public transit bus, the potential liability is serious and complex. Trucking accidents often involve questions about driver negligence, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and employer responsibility. Passengers on a public bus who are injured through no fault of their own may also have legal avenues available to them. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help identify all responsible parties and pursue the compensation you or your loved one deserves. In California, it is important to act quickly, as evidence from commercial vehicle crashes can be time-sensitive.
If you or someone you love was injured in the Santa Clarita crash or any other serious truck or bus accident in the Los Angeles area, our North Hollywood office is nearby and ready to help. You don’t have to figure this out on your own — contact us for a free consultation and let our team review your case at no cost to you.
Nearest Office: North Hollywood, CA
Phone: 714-714-7100
Source:KTLA
The map below shows the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita, where the truck and transit bus crash occurred.
