13 Injured, Including 1 in Critical Condition, After Gravel Truck Collides with Bus and 2 Cars in ‘Violent’ Crash

On the morning of Wednesday, May 13, 2026, an accident involving multiple vehicles occurred in Santa Clarita, California, leaving thirteen people injured. The incident involved a semi-truck transporting gravel, which collided with a Santa Clarita Transit bus and two other vehicles at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time.

According to reports, the truck driver attempted to avoid a red light by making a right turn at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station indicated that the driver may have been travelling as fast as 70 mph, significantly exceeding the posted speed limit of 50 mph. Captain Brandon Barclay from the sheriff’s office explained that the driver’s abrupt manoeuvre resulted in the crash with the bus and the other two vehicles involved.

Photographs from the scene of the accident depict a chaotic situation, with debris strewn across the intersection and a significant amount of gravel littering the area. Aerial footage revealed the bus was left on the curb, while the semi-truck overturned, and one of the cars was partially crushed beneath the bus.

The aftermath of the accident has raised significant safety concerns. Detective Charlie Upchurch, also from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, remarked on the violent nature of the collision, noting the devastating impact it had on the vehicles involved and the community at large. He described the scene as reminiscent of something one might expect to see in a movie, underscoring the serious nature of the crash.

Among the thirteen individuals injured, one person was described as being in critical condition. A passenger on the bus required extraction from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life tool, a rescue device typically employed in severe vehicle collisions. Seven other individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, while five people at the scene opted to decline medical treatment.

The tragic incident prompted a response from the Santa Clarita Transit department, which announced necessary adjustments to school routes due to the ongoing closure at the critical intersection. Students attending Golden Valley and Bowman High Schools will now be picked up at new locations, given that some scheduled bus stops will have to be missed for safety reasons.

Witness testimonies and comments from local residents have highlighted the alarming nature of the crash. Former Santa Clarita transit bus driver Darryl Richardson, who witnessed the aftermath, shared his relief that the crash did not occur with more severe consequences. He expressed the fear that accompanied sharing the road with large vehicles and echoed concerns regarding the community’s safety.

Emergency services were quickly deployed to the scene, as roadways were blocked and traffic there was severely disrupted. Local authorities urged motorists to avoid the area and to anticipate significant delays while emergency responders worked to clear the scene.

While specific details about the ongoing investigation into the crash are yet to be released, officials from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have all been contacted for additional information. As of the latest reports, progress is being made to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this distressing event, and the community remains in a state of shock following the incident.