16 hurt after juveniles in stolen vehicle collide with MTA bus in East Baltimore, authorities say
By Renee Anderson, Tara Lynch
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BALTIMORE (WJZ) — More than a dozen people are being treated for injuries following an MTA bus crash involving a stolen vehicle in East Baltimore, according to authorities on the scene.
The crash was reported around 12:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of E. Oliver and N. Wolfe streets.
Photos from the scene, which is located in a school zone near Collington Square Park, showed the MTA Gold Route bus off the roadway in a grassy area and a red Hyundai Elentra with extensive damage.
Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said 16 people were hurt, including 12 people on the bus. He said the majority of the injuries were minor, but several people suffered critical or serious injuries.
“They quickly declared a mass casualty incident, and as such, 14 medic units responded to this location and were utilized to transport a total of 16 patients to local area hospitals,” Wallace said.
The fire chief said he believes a total of 12 people were on board the bus at the time, including the driver who was alert and talking.
“All but one self-extricated from the bus, and they were actually sitting outside when we arrived here,” said Wallace.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed the other vehicle involved had been reported stolen, and there were four juveniles inside.
“Officers received an alert for a stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from officers. Officers called for Foxtrot to assist,” Worley told reporters on the scene. “Shortly afterward, officers observed the vehicle collide with an MTA bus at this intersection.”
According to the dispatch call, police started following the stolen car by the intersection of North Avenue and N. Gay Street before it sped away. The chase then spanned the Broadway East neighborhood.
The car sped eastbound on E. Oliver Street before colliding with the bus, which was traveling south on N. Wolfe Street — spinning the car nearly 360 degrees and sending the bus into nearby trees.
The four juveniles inside the car were among the 16 victims taken to area hospitals, Worley said. Two of them were listed in critical condition.
Asked whether he was concerned the crash involved young people, the commissioner responded, “I’m always concerned when everything involves juveniles, but we keep locking them up, and they keep ending up getting out.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore posted about the crash on social media, saying his team is monitoring the situation.
“I’m heartbroken by the bus crash in East Baltimore earlier today,” the governor wrote. “Both Dawn and I are praying for everyone involved and are incredibly grateful to the first responders on the site of the crash.”
Investigators are now working to review video from the scene, including from the officers and on board the bus.
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