13 Injured as Semi-Truck Collides With Santa Clarita Transit Bus

Gravel-Loaded Semi Unable to Stop at Yellow Light: Crashes Into Bus and Two Vehicles on Golden Valley Road

SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA (May 13, 2026): A serious multi-vehicle crash involving a gravel-loaded semi-truck and a Santa Clarita Transit bus injured 13 people on Wednesday morning, May 13, 2026, at approximately 9:30 AM at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita. According to initial reports, the semi-truck was traveling at an estimated 50, 70 mph when it failed to stop at a yellow light and attempted a right turn onto Centre Pointe Parkway, striking the transit bus and two additional vehicles. One bus passenger in critical condition had to be extracted from the wreckage using the Jaws of Life, and seven others were transported to area hospitals. A massive emergency response was deployed, including 10 ambulances and units from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The semi-truck overturned during the collision, briefly exposing natural gas in the area. Investigators confirmed that drugs and alcohol were ruled out as contributing factors.

Liability for Los Angeles County Serious Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving Semi-Trucks

Commercial truck crashes of this nature implicate multiple layers of California and federal law. Under California Vehicle Code § 22350 (the Basic Speed Law), no driver may operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given road and traffic conditions, a standard the semi-truck driver may have plainly violated by traveling at 50, 70 mph before the intersection. California Vehicle Code § 22406 establishes maximum speed limits for commercial trucks, and any violation of that statute is relevant evidence of negligence. California Vehicle Code § 21658 (Lane Maintenance Obligations) and California Vehicle Code § 21703 (Following Distance Requirements) further govern how commercial operators must control their vehicles in traffic. At the federal level, FMCSA 49 C.F.R. Part 395 (Hours-of-Service Regulations) requires commercial carriers to maintain records ensuring their drivers are not operating while fatigued, records that must be preserved and examined in any thorough investigation. Liability may extend to the truck driver, the trucking company or owner-operator, any third-party maintenance contractor responsible for brake or mechanical systems, and potentially the cargo loading company if improper load securement contributed to the driver's loss of control.

  • Speed: Drivers operating above safe limits dramatically increase crash risk.
  • Fatigue: Hours-of-service violations put drowsy commercial drivers on the road.
  • Vehicle Failure: Defective brakes, tires, or load securement cause loss of control.
  • Distraction: Phone use or inattention leads to lane departures and rear-end crashes.

Victims injured in a crash of this severity may pursue claims grounded in negligence, negligence per se (where a statutory violation directly caused harm), and, where a government-operated transit vehicle is involved, potential claims against the public entity operating the bus. Recoverable damages may include emergency and ongoing medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and, where applicable, punitive damages if the conduct is found to be especially reckless. The critical passenger who required extraction by the Jaws of Life, as well as all others transported to hospitals, should be represented by counsel experienced in commercial truck and public transit litigation.

Steps to Take After a Los Angeles County Serious Multi-Vehicle Crash

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks were involved in crashes that killed more than 5,000 people and injured approximately 161,000 others in a single recent reporting year, underscoring how devastating commercial vehicle collisions can be and why immediate legal action is critical.

  • Obtain and preserve the police report and accident reconstruction report immediately.
  • Collect all surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras.
  • Preserve vehicle black box (EDR/ECM) data before it is overwritten.
  • Do not speak with insurance adjusters without legal counsel.
  • Consult a wrongful death or personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Statute of limitations: 2 years, California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. For claims against government entities: Government entity claim deadline: 6 months, California Government Code § 911.2. Because Santa Clarita Transit is a publicly operated transit system, injured bus passengers may face this accelerated six-month deadline to file a government tort claim. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

Investigating Los Angeles County Serious Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving Semi-Trucks

We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to every person injured in this devastating collision and to their families. Was the semi-truck driver's electronic logging device (ELD) data preserved, and does it reveal any hours-of-service violations that may have contributed to impaired reaction time at the intersection? Were the semi-truck's braking systems properly maintained and inspected in accordance with FMCSA regulations, and did a mechanical failure prevent the driver from stopping before the light?

Do you have questions about a Los Angeles County serious multi-vehicle crash, semi-truck vs. city bus? Our team is here for you. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.