A horrific tour bus crash on an unlit mountain road in Southern California left at least 8 people dead and 38 others injured. The accident happened Sunday evening at 6:30 on State Route 38 about 80 miles east of Los Angeles. According to reports, brake problems caused the driver to lose control of the bus and rear-end a car. The bus then flipped and slammed into a truck.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Mario Lopez said it is a gruesome accident scene. "Probably one of the worst ones I have seen in my career. There are victims inside the bus, outside the bus, personal belongings [everywhere],” he said.
California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Michelle Profant said body parts littered the area. "It's really a mess up there with body parts," she said.
Lopez told NBCLosAngeles.com that investigators are at the scene trying to find out what caused the crash. “Speed was probably a factor,” he said. “We do not know if there was a mechanical failure or driver error. That’s what investigators at the scene are going to determine.”
The bus, which is owned by National City, California-based Scapadas Magicas LLC, was returning to Tijuana, Mexico after a day trip to the Big Bear Mountain Resort for skiing and snowboarding. Thirty-nine passengers were on board.
Authorities say the death toll will likely rise because several of the injured had life-threatening wounds. Also, authorities are still trying to reach bodies stuck inside the bus.
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