At Least 9 Injured In Crash Involving Miami-Dade Transit Bus

MIAMI, FL — At least nine people were recovering Monday from a weekend crash that sent a Miami-Dade Transit bus careening into a building, where it became lodged. The crash also involved a Ford pickup truck, according to Miami Fire Rescue. It happened Sunday morning at NW 2 Avenue and 54 Street in the city's Little Haiti section.

Captain Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue said that a total of nine people were taken to an area hospital from the bus and pickup while others were evaluated at the scene but not taken to the hospital.

A man and women in their 60s, who were traveling in the white pickup, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center with serious injuries, according to Carroll.

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"Just after 9 a.m., Miami Fire-Rescue responded to the intersection of Northwest 2nd Avenue and 54th Street for reports of a accident involving a Miami-Dade Transit Bus and a Ford pickup truck," said Carroll.

"According to witnesses, the MTA bus was traveling northbound on NW 2nd Avenue when the collision occurred in the intersection. The impact resulted in the bus veering off the road and slamming into the Omega's Fashion building," Carroll said. "One support column was completely destroyed and the second column was severely damaged, causing the second floor building to rest on top of the bus."

Nine people from the bus were evaluated. Seven, including the driver, were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

"After all the patients were transported, members of the city of Miami fire rescue tactical Rescue Team attempted to stabilize the second floor that was resting on top of the bus," according to Carroll. "For safety purposes, the bus remained in the same place until structural engineers can further evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action for removing the bus and minimizing the damage to the building."

The cause of the accident remained under investigation by the Miami Police Department as of Monday.

Traffic in all directions was affected for a time as Miami police secured the crash scene.

The owner of Omega's Fashion told Local 10 News that the bus hit his business but that there was no one inside at the time. He said he did not have insurance on the building, which he owned for some 40 years.

Photos courtesy Miami Fire Rescue