Fatal Bus Crash Shuts Down Highway 99

At least five people were killed and many other injured when a speeding charter bus veered off the highway and hit a pole.

It happened Tuesday morning around 3:30 a.m. on Highway 99 in Merced County, California. The unmarked, white bus was headed northbound when it suddenly went flying off the road.

It struck a support pole for the Hammatt Avenue exit near the town of Livingston.

The force of the collision caused it to shear through the vehicle before it stopped at the first axle.

Thirty people were on-board and five were killed. By 7:50, all survivors were removed from the vehicle. Rescuers brought out bags of body parts from the survivors who lost limbs.

Injured survivors were airlifted to hospitals in unknown conditions.

According to Fresno Bee, the bus was operated by Autobuses Coordinados USA. It originated in Mexico and stopped in Los Angeles on Monday night. It had made a stop in Livingston and was headed to Washington state.

Authorities identified the bus driver as 57-year-old Mario David Vasquez from Los Angeles. He suffered major injuries and was hospitalized.

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

Northbound Highway 99 is closed in the surrounding area while crews attend to the situation. It is expected to be closed all day.