The Berkeley Police Deparment reports that there was a collision after 4:00pm this afternoon involving a bus operated by Berkeley Lab and two pedestrians at Center Street and Shattuck Avenue. At least one of the pedestrians was seriously injured and has been transported to a local trauma center, according to Sgt. Mary Kusmiss. Kusmiss says the police began receiving calls at approximately 4:28pm. “A large crowd formed that had to be asked to move back so that the Berkeley Fire Department personnel could work. The crowd was exhibiting a great deal of verbal energy, taking photographs and such.” She says there were no significant altercations.
Update, 18:25: According new information from the BPD, and according to preliminary details, the bus was travelling westbound on Center Street and was making a right/northbound turn onto northbound Shattuck Avenue. The two women knew each other and were walking together in the crosswalk [wesbound in the north crosswalk crossing Shattuck Avenue] when one of the women was struck and run over by the bus. The other woman banged on the bus with her hand(s) to gain the driver’s attention and was injured as a result. The woman who was struck was extricated from under the bus by BFD personnel. She sustained serious injuries to her lower extremities and was transported to a local trauma center for medical treatment. The other woman has been treated and released but understandably is very upset.
Update, 20.30: From the BPD: Three members of BPD who each have extensive collision investigation experience are handling the investigation. A BPD Motor Officer just shared that the woman, born January 1957, has very serious open fractures and will require surgeries, hospitalization and yet, it appears that she will survive.
