One person was killed and three others were taken to the hospital after a bus carrying the Oakwood University “Aeolians” was involved in a collision with four other vehicles on Highway 101 near the Sierra Parkway exit early Saturday morning.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened just before 12:45 a.m. and shut down three northbound lanes of the freeway for more than 7 hours.
According to CHP, a Ford SUV with a blown-out tire tried to pull over near the center divide. A driver in a Camry swerved to avoid hitting the disabled SUV and was rear-ended by a Volkswagen. That crash pushed the disabled SUV into traffic, where it was hit by the tour bus carrying the Oakwood singers. Then, a Lincoln Navigator crashed into the back of the tour bus, killing the driver.
Two of the Oakwood musicians were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and another person from one of the cars was transported to the hospital with moderate to severe injuries.
All of the students were able to get out of the tour bus, which then caught fire and burned down to the frame. The students’ luggage was destroyed in the fire.
Oakwood University issued a statement thanking first responders, “and support personnel from the San Francisco area who are aiding our students and staff.” The school launched a website to raise money to help students whose belongings were destroyed.