An out-of-service MBTA bus crashed into multiple vehicles in Medford Thursday morning after the 62-year-old driver apparently experienced a medical emergency, sending three people to a hospital and leaving several damaged cars along the Fellsway.
The crash happened shortly after 11 a.m. near the intersection of Fellsway West and Salem Street. The bus was traveling eastbound and was not carrying passengers at the time.
According to Transit Police, the driver appears to have been unable to stop as he approached the intersection. The bus struck vehicles that were stopped at a red light, setting off a chain reaction before continuing through the intersection.
The bus then hit additional parked vehicles, crossed the sidewalk and came to rest in the front yard of a nearby home. It was left wedged between a large tree and a damaged light pole. Emergency crews also found debris, wires and branches scattered around the crash scene.
Three people were taken to a hospital following the crash, including the bus driver and two people who were in vehicles struck by the bus. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, and authorities said all three were expected to be OK.
Several other vehicles were damaged in the collision. Fire officials said the bus struck six vehicles, while police said the initial impact involved vehicles stopped at the Salem Street intersection before the bus continued into the surrounding area.
The crash came close to a nearby home, where a resident said she saw the bus approaching from inside the house. She called 911 after realizing how close the bus was to the property.
Residents in the neighborhood described hearing a series of loud crashes. One resident said she heard several bangs from blocks away and went to the scene after realizing something serious had happened.
The crash caused a major emergency response, with police, firefighters, medical crews and tow trucks working at the scene. Drivers were initially advised to avoid the area while crews cleared the wreckage. The roadway has since reopened.
Transit Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash are still being investigated. Investigators are working to determine exactly what happened before the bus entered the intersection and lost control.
Officials said they were grateful that no one suffered more serious injuries given the number of vehicles involved and how close the bus came to the nearby home.
The investigation remains ongoing.
