An MTA bus driver killed in a head on collision with a tow-truck early Wednesday morning in downtown Los Angeles has been identified.
According to the county coroner’s office and the Los Angeles Police Department, 47 year old Olivia Gamboa was killed just after 5 a.m. at the intersection of 5th Street and Broadway, when her Metrolink bus collided head on with a tow truck during a left hand turn attempt. The impact inflicted major damages to the front ends of both vehicles and sent the tow truck through a fire hydrant and into a convenience store front, inflicting minor injuries to a worker inside. Fortunately, the MTA bus was not carrying passengers at the time.
The collision left both drivers trapped inside their vehicles, needing to be removed by rescue personnel. After being extricated, the two were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Gamboa was listed in critical condition, and the 30 year old tow truck driver in serious condition. A short time after her arrival, Gamboa was pronounced dead.
In a statement released following the accident, Metro officials said that they were “saddened to learn of the passing of one of our family members this morning as a result of a horrific accident in downtown Los Angeles. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bus operator’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
A thirteen year veteran at Metro, Gamboa was remembered as family oriented and positive. “She was a very beautiful woman, both inside and out. She had a beautiful heart,” said one coworker.
In the ongoing investigation launched by the Los Angeles Police Department, it is alleged that the tow truck driver was speeding and had driven through a red light prior to the accident, though investigators are still scouring over available surveillance footage to confirm or deny the suspicion. If the allegations are proven true, the tow truck driver, who has yet to be identified, is likely to face a litany of felony charges upon his release from the hospital.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a driver running through a red light, you should seek help, as there are legal protections in place to get victims what they need to recover. With the help of a skilled Los Angeles car accident lawyer, compensation can be received from those at fault to help pay for things like hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation sessions, and even replace wages from time spent away from work.
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