Rene Steiner Seriously Injured in Rancho Peñasquitos School Bus Crash near Paseo Montalban and Via Cima Bella
RANCHO PEÑASQUITOS, SAN DIEGO (March 11, 2026) – A 69-year-old male pedestrian identified as Rene Steiner was seriously injured in a Rancho Peñasquitos school bus accident by Paseo Montalban and Via Cima Bella.
San Diego County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:30 AM on Tuesday. Rene Steiner was walking his dogs when he was struck by the school bus as it was making a left turn.
A witness and a police officer rushed over to help the victim. The officer began performing CPR on the victim, who reportedly suffered a skull fracture, rib fractures, and other serious injuries.
Rene Steiner was transported to the hospital to receive treatment. Neighbors who live in the area described Paseo Montalban as a wide street that is known for fast-moving traffic.
A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for San Diego School Bus Accidents
School buses are considered common carriers and are expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing accidents. According to the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, “Common carriers must carry passengers [or property] safely. Common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person. They must do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers [or property].” School bus drivers should take several measures to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Blind Spots: Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making any turns at an intersection. Pedestrians have a naturally small profile and are more likely to be overlooked.
- Speed: Bus drivers must reduce their speed to avoid collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles. They should also slow down when going through any school zone.
- Rest: Bus drivers should be well rested before the start of their shift. Fatigue can actually be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Left Turns: Bus drivers should complete routes that minimize as many left turns as possible. Left turns are by far the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers can make.
If a school bus driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of an negligence claim. Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian that is crossing in a marked crosswalk and close enough so as to pose an immediate hazard. When a bus driver acts negligently and strikes a pedestrian, their employer could also be held liable. As a general rule, employers in California can be vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers–insofar as those workers were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
Steps to Take After San Diego County Bus Accidents
School buses are typically very safe for their passengers. But they can be particularly dangerous to pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide in 2023, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Certain measures should be taken after any bus accident.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the accident site as early as possible. Any reports that they create should be sought and preserved. That report can be enormously helpful for a number of different reasons.
- Eyewitnesses: People that may have witnessed the collision should be interviewed while their memories are still fresh.
- Medical Treatment: Victims should receive a thorough medical evaluation and treatment after the crash. Many of the injuries associated with any collision will not be immediately obvious.
- Legal Review: Any person injured in a school bus crash should seek the legal guidance of a team with ample experience in negligence claims. This team can examine the unique facts of any crash and ensure that critical pieces of evidence are preserved.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any school bus crash. Many victims are left with catastrophic injuries that impair their ability to work or simply perform daily tasks. To make matters worse, school districts will almost never accept responsibility when one of their drivers is involved in a collision and hits a pedestrian. This is why it is so important that these incidents be investigated by experienced legal counsel. Any person injured due to the negligent actions of a school bus driver is able to pursue some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating San Diego County Bus Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to Rene Steiner and his family as he continues to recover. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this intersection safer.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of a school bus driver in San Diego County? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
