Police: Driver seriously injured, 7 passengers hurt when MTA bus was left dangling from overpass after crash in Morris Heights

A number of passengers and a driver are hurt after an MTA bus shot right off the road through the barrier, and was left hanging over an overpass late Thursday night in Morris Heights.

News 12 Staff

Jan 15, 2021, 10:45 PM

Updated 1,288 days ago

Share:

A number of passengers and a driver are hurt after an MTA bus shot right off the road through the barrier, and was left hanging off an overpass late Thursday night in Morris Heights.
The bus was hoisted back up onto the University Avenue overpass and towed away after workers and firefighters tried for hours to figure out how to use cranes and tow trucks to pull up the bus.
The crash left debris, including the smashed guard rail, a utility pole and other damages in the area.
Police reopened the road to traffic as Department of Transportation crews have installed safety measures on the ground all morning. They put in concrete barriers to block where the bus went through the guard rail.
Police have confirmed that there was nothing criminal that happened when the bus flew off the overpass just after 11 p.m.
Police say the accident happened at the interchange between the Cross Bronx Expressway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
Police say seven passengers suffered minor injuries while the driver was seriously hurt. They were all taken to the hospital.
In a presser on Friday, the MTA says the driver of the tandem bus passed the breathalyzer test at the scene of the accident. 
They say the 55-year-old bus driver refused the FTA-mandated drug and alcohol test upon arrival at the hospital. They say the bus driver suffered cuts, bruises, and body pains and was able to help evacuate passengers on the bus.
Photos posted by the FDNY show that it's an articulated bus, a double bus with the accordion section in the middle. The accordion-like part ripped in half and left the back part of the bus on the highway and the front part vertical, which smashed down onto the road below.
News 12 reached out to the MTA which said in a statement, “The MTA’s goal is to have the safest transportation system in the nation, and when an incident like this occurs we take it very seriously. We are conducting a full investigation and will implement lessons learned in order to prevent it from happening again. We are certain this was a terrifying incident for those customers on the bus. Our hearts go out to them with hope that they can recover quickly.”


More from News 12
1:49
Bridgeport church reported finding hundreds of hypodermic needles on parish property this week

Bridgeport church reported finding hundreds of hypodermic needles on parish property this week

1:34
Sunny this weekend, chance of storms next week

Sunny this weekend, chance of storms next week

2:13
‘You know who I am?’ Police video shows Bridgeport councilman’s ‘combative’ traffic stop

‘You know who I am?’ Police video shows Bridgeport councilman’s ‘combative’ traffic stop

0:26
Boat Camp introduces kids to the beauty of Long Island Sound

Boat Camp introduces kids to the beauty of Long Island Sound

0:16
Police: Norwalk man arrested for committing lewd acts against a family member in San Diego

Police: Norwalk man arrested for committing lewd acts against a family member in San Diego

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:42
 Real Deal: Natural gas, rent and medical care continue to increase in Connecticut

Real Deal: Natural gas, rent and medical care continue to increase in Connecticut

0:20
Little boy helps rescue dog in Stratford

Little boy helps rescue dog in Stratford

0:51
Norwalk celebrates 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Norwalk celebrates 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

1:57
'It's powerful.' NHL stars participate in Stamford fundraiser to raise awareness of suicide prevention

'It's powerful.' NHL stars participate in Stamford fundraiser to raise awareness of suicide prevention

2:08
63rd annual summer book sale begins at Pequot Library in Southport

63rd annual summer book sale begins at Pequot Library in Southport

0:31
Shelton homeowner faces charges after illegal fireworks cause fire to escalate

Shelton homeowner faces charges after illegal fireworks cause fire to escalate

1:57
Bridgeport Police Department swears in dozens of new recruits

Bridgeport Police Department swears in dozens of new recruits

2:00
Harris campaign highlights challenges female candidates face in CT

Harris campaign highlights challenges female candidates face in CT

0:14
Officials: West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes collected from Danbury testing site

Officials: West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes collected from Danbury testing site

0:56
Free life jacket station unveiled at Lake Simmons in Greenwich

Free life jacket station unveiled at Lake Simmons in Greenwich

0:43
Connecticut resident awarded Caregiver of the Year award at BrightStar Care in Norwalk

Connecticut resident awarded Caregiver of the Year award at BrightStar Care in Norwalk

0:32
Connecticut State Police rescue ducks from Interstate-91 in Hartford

Connecticut State Police rescue ducks from Interstate-91 in Hartford

2:46
Main Street Connecticut: Showcasing the best of Weston

Main Street Connecticut: Showcasing the best of Weston

0:56
Norwalk unveils new playground at Flax Hill Park

Norwalk unveils new playground at Flax Hill Park