UPDATE (Thursday, Oct. 10) - Police have identified the person who was killed Wednesday as Eve Debra Johnson, 67.
MTD released the following statement on Thursday:
MTD offers our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the individuals involved. MTD is cooperating fully with the investigation being conducted by the Santa Barbara Police Department, and due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no additional information is available at this time.
__
UPDATE (5:47 p.m.) - Santa Barbara police say the cause of an MTD bus crash remains unknown at this time, but witnesses were able to describe what led up to the collision Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses told police that just prior to the collision, the bus was traveling north on Chapala St., then made a right turn east onto Figueroa. The bus then continued turning, driving onto the sidewalk and striking two people before coming to rest against four other vehicles.
Police say one of the two people struck was killed and the other suffered major injuries.
Several people on the bus were also reportedly injured. Police say at least two bus passengers were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. Several other people who complained of minor injuries reportedly declined medical transport.
Police say investigators are interviewing more than 20 witnesses, including the bus driver.
__
(3:17 p.m.) - A pedestrian was killed Wednesday after a collision involving a transit bus in downtown Santa Barbara.
Police say it happened at about 2:15 p.m. in a parking lot next to the bus terminal at Chapala and W. Figueroa streets.
Santa Barbara Police Department spokesperson Anthony Wagner says one other person outside of the bus was injured and several people inside the bus were also hurt. Those with injuries were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Police are reportedly interviewing the bus driver to determine what happened.
Investigators expect to be on scene for at least a couple of hours to reconstruct the collision.
