Desert Hot Springs, CA…On October 23, 2016 at approximately 5:17 A.M., a collision between a charter bus and a semi-truck resulted in 13 fatalities and 31 additional injuries. The collision occurred on westbound Interstate 10 west of Indian Canyon Road in Desert Hot Springs, CA. A semi-truck with trailer was traveling at approximately five mph due to slow traffic when the charter bus collided with the trailer from behind. The Charter bus company is USA Holiday based in Los Angeles.

California Highway Patrol Units from the Indio Area office responded within minutes to provide scene safety and medical treatment for the injured. Local fire departments responded and began extrication and triage. Victims were transported to three local area hospitals including Desert Regional Medical Center, Eisenhower Medical Center, and JFK Memorial. Little is known about the victims right now other than they are all adults. Injuries ranged from minor to major. The Riverside County Coroner’s office is working on identification and family notification at this time. The charter bus was headed to Los Angeles from the Red Earth Casino in Salton City, CA. The driver’s identity is unknown at this time. Any information about the role of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue is unknown at this time. Families looking for information on their loved ones are asked to contact the hospitals first to see if they have been admitted. If they do not have that information they can contact the Riverside County Coroner’s office family assistance line at (951) 443-2300.
This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the California Highway Patrol Indio Area with assistance from the CHP Border Division Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Updates will be given when available.