Investigation Underway After Bus From Orange County Carrying Members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana Overturned on Highway 330 in Running Springs
RUNNING SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA (November 10, 2025) – At least 20 people were hospitalized after a bus carrying a Catholic church group overturned on Highway 330 in Running Springs.
San Bernardino County officials are saying the accident took place shortly before 9 PM on Sunday. Members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana were recently attending a camp not far from Angelus Oaks.
As the bus was heading home to Orange County, it overturned on Highway 330. Firefighters and paramedics will hold to the scene to help all of the victims.
At least 26 people were treated for injuries. Three of the victims are reported to have sustained major injuries. In all, 20 people were taken to area hospitals to receive treatment.
Witnesses are reporting that the bus caught fire prior to flipping over and crashing on the highway. A full investigation of the cause of the Running Springs bus accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Running Springs Bus Accidents
Buses are considered common carriers, and their drivers must operate with a great deal of caution to protect the wellbeing of their passengers. According to Squaw Valley Ski Corp. v. Superior Court (1992) 2 Cal.App.4th 1499, 1507, “This elevated standard of care for common carriers has its origin in English common law. It is based on a recognition that the privilege of serving the public as a common carrier necessarily entails great responsibility, requiring common carriers to exercise a high duty of care towards their customers.” Bus companies should take several measures to prevent accidents.
- Hiring: Bus companies should conduct a thorough background check on all of their prospective drivers. They must also ensure that they have the proper commercial license to operate a bus.
- Maintenance: Buses are complex pieces of machinery with a high utilization rate. They must be periodically inspected and routinely maintained to function safely.
- Safety Features: Bus companies should consider installing certain safety features that are known to prevent accidents. This includes blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.
Bus accidents tend to involve some amount of driver error. In particular, bus drivers may travel too fast for the prevailing conditions. According to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall operate a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than would be reasonable and prudent when considering weather, visibility, and prevailing conditions on the roadway. If a bus driver fails to slow down to avoid an accident, this could be construed as negligence.
Third-Party Liability for Running Springs Bus Accidents
A large number of people are killed or seriously injured every year in bus accidents. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “between 2005 and 2010, the average number of motorcoach accidents annually was 1,003. Thirty-two accidents were fatal, resulting in 44 deaths; 505 were nonfatal and 467 involved property only.” There could be several liable parties for any particular bus accident.
- Bus Company: The company that owned or operated a bus could bear some responsibility if their bus driver was negligent. Generally speaking, employers can be held liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
- Bus Manufacturer: The company that manufactured the bus could be liable through a product liability claim. The companies that produce buses have a legal obligation to make sure that they are safe and not likely to malfunction in ways that jeopardize occupants or others on the roadway.
- Maintenance Contractor: The company responsible for performing maintenance work on a bus could be legally responsible for an accident if they were negligent. For example, the company may have had actual or constructive notice of a major issue with the bus and failed to take action.
Bus accidents are often highly complex events. There are often several factors that cause any crash. It is also likely that there may be several liable parties. The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more people to have at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage. This can help victims of bus accidents recover from any injuries that they suffer. Any person injured in a bus accident may be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim.
Investigating Running Springs Bus Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to all of the members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana who were injured in this crash. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. The circumstances leading up to the rollover remain deeply concerning. When was the last time this bus was maintained? What is the safety record of the company that owned the bus?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Running Springs bus accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of bus accident attorneys is here to help. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime for a risk-free consultation at (800) 541-3244. Se habla español.
