Danny Montoya, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Died After Being Hit By Bus on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in Palmdale
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA (October 3, 2025) – A 21-year-old man identified as Danny Montoya has tragically died in a Palmdale bus accident on the Antelope Valley 14 Freeway.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:35 a.m. on Saturday. Danny Montoya was standing in the far right lane of the 14 freeway after being involved in a car accident.
As he was outside of his vehicle, he was struck by a 2008 MCI J-Series Motorcoach bus. The police and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
Sadly, Danny Montoya was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the bus was described as a 58-year-old man from Panorama City.
He remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the Palmdale bus accident remains ongoing.
The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone that may have witnessed the crash to reach out to them.
Liability for Palmdale Bus Accidents
Buses are considered common carriers and bound to a heightened duty of care 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].” There are many ways that a bus driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a collision.
- California Vehicle Code 22350: No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than would be reasonable given the prevailing road conditions. If a bus driver fails to slow down in time to avoid a crash, this may indicate that they were speeding or otherwise traveling too fast.
- California Vehicle Code 21703: The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle closer than would be reasonable, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle. If a driver collides with a pedestrian or rear-ends a car, there is a good chance they were following another vehicle at an unsafe distance.
- California Vehicle Code 21950: The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. Even if the pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway, drivers must still exercise due care to avoid colliding with them.
If a bus driver is negligent and hits a pedestrian on the freeway, there could be several liable parties in addition to the bus driver. For example, the company that owned or operated the bus could bear some liability. Employers in California can be vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This will include situations where a bus was being used to transport people for a commercial purpose.
Common Causes of Los Angeles County Bus Accidents
Many people are killed or seriously injured each year in accidents with buses. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” Several factors could contribute to any bus accident.
- Fatigue: Bus drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions if they are fatigued. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that staying awake for only 17 hours can substantially impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, similar to having a BAC of 0.05%.
- Inexperience: Younger bus drivers with less experience are substantially more likely to be involved in collisions. This is why it is so important that bus companies ensure that their drivers are well trained and comfortable with the routes they are traveling.
- Vehicle System Failures: Buses weigh tens of thousands of pounds and have a high utilization rate. These vehicles are prone to serious failures if they are not routinely inspected and maintained.
- Poor Road Conditions: Rain and other forms of inclement weather are another major cause of bus accidents. Bus drivers should be familiar with how to operate their vehicle in a variety of traffic and weather conditions.
There could be several factors that contribute to any particular bus accident. Liability may be shared among several different entities. One common thread among most bus accidents is that bus companies and their insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility. They will either blame the victim or say that they were partially at fault. It is important that surviving family members of fatal collisions understand that they do have rights protected under the law. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Palmdale Bus Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Danny Montoya. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. There are so many questions that have yet to be answered. What was the speed of the bus prior to the collision? What is the safety record of the bus company involved? When was the last time this bus was inspected and maintained?
Do you need more information about a Palmdale bus accident? Our team of bus accident investigators is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of negligence are aware of their rights and that bus companies are held accountable. Our team can get to the bottom of any accident and answer the questions that you have. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
