Derris Ellis, 36, Died in Los Angeles Metro Bus Crash at East 6th Street and Los Angeles Street in the Skid Row Area
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (July 8, 2026) – A 36-year-old man identified as Derris Ellis was killed in a downtown Los Angeles bus accident at the intersection of East 6th Street and Los Angeles Street.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the collision occurred around 10:23 PM on Sunday in the Skid Row area. Derris Ellis reportedly fell before being hit by a Metro Bus.
Paramedics rushed to the scene of the collision to help the injured victim. Unfortunately, Derris Ellis was later pronounced deceased due to the severe nature of his injuries.
Eyewitnesses told the reporters that the victim may have been involved in some type of altercation before falling backward and being run over by the bus. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Los Angeles Metro Bus Accidents
Bus companies are considered common carriers and are expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing harm to passengers and any pedestrians in the roadway. 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].” Bus companies should take many different measures to prevent pedestrian accidents.
- Training: Bus companies should train their drivers to continuously scan the road ahead of them and always check for pedestrians.
- Blind Spots: Bus companies can help mitigate blind spots that may contribute to accidents by installing safety features, including cameras and blind-spot awareness systems.
- Compliance: Bus companies should ensure that all of their drivers have the appropriate commercial license necessary for the vehicle that they’re handling.
- Maintenance: Bus companies should periodically inspect and maintain all of the vehicles in their fleet.
When evaluating whether or not a bus driver could be liable for a collision, it matters whether or not the accident was reasonably foreseeable and could have been prevented. If a bus driver was not traveling at a safe speed in a dense pedestrian area and failed to slow down to avoid a pedestrian, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Liability for any bus collision could extend to several different parties. This includes the private company or municipal entity responsible for any bus. As a general rule, employers in the state of California can be held vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their workers who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
What To Do After Los Angeles Bus Accidents
Los Angeles is a dense urban area that is home to an estimated 3.87 million people. Throughout the course of the day, nearly every one of those people is a pedestrian. As the city continues to grow, public infrastructure for pedestrians has not always kept pace. This has led to many preventable accidents over the years. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, an estimated 1,432 pedestrians were injured or killed in Los Angeles in 2023 alone. Roughly a third of those victims were bicyclists. There are multiple actions that should be taken after any type of pedestrian accident with a bus in Los Angeles.
- Police: The police should be called to the scene as early as possible so that they can begin an official investigation into what happened. Pedestrian collisions are often highly complex, and there are often several factors that contribute to what went wrong.
- Eyewitnesses: Victims who may have witnessed any pedestrian collision should be interviewed as early as possible. They can offer important context related to what happened prior to the crash.
- Medical Records: Gathering medical records is another important step. The nature of a person’s injuries, as detailed in medical records, can help paint a clear picture of what happened, even in the total absence of surveillance footage or witnesses.
- Independent Investigation: Any person affected by a bus accident in Los Angeles County can request an independent investigation by a team experienced in accident reconstruction.
After a collision has occurred, the police will typically work to examine what may have caused the crash. But this can be quite different from what parties could be legally responsible for what happened. It is important for the victims of the bus accident and their families to understand that they do have legal rights. Any person injured in a bus crash is able to hold all responsible parties accountable through a civil action. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who died. They are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60.
Investigating Los Angeles Bus Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Derris Ellis. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong for the sake of the victim’s family. It is our sincere hope that the agency that owned this bus will strongly consider what measures can be taken to prevent other tragedies. Many different questions have yet to be answered. What was the speed of the bus driver? Is there a history of collisions at this specific intersection?
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles bus accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to assist you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that bus companies are held fully accountable for their wrongful conduct. One of the ways that we may be able to help is by conducting a free investigation into any accident to help identify exactly what happened. We understand how difficult it can be to get information after any major incident. The police are often less than helpful. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
