The driver of a commuter bus that crashed in Richmond, B.C. Sunday night, injuring more than a dozen passengers, has been charged with speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.
The Coast Mountain Bus Company vehicle was on Highway 99 near Cambie Road when it swerved onto the grassy median and struck a concrete barrier at around 9:30 p.m.
The driver and 15 passengers were taken to hospital with various injuries, none of which are believed to be life threatening, and several others were treated at the scene.
Witnesses told police a minivan abruptly changed lanes in front of the 351 Bridgeport bus directly before the crash.
But Mounties say the bus's speed was a contributing factor, and 48-year-old driver Laurence Douglas Brand of Delta has been charged with two Motor Vehicle Act offences.
Damage to the bus was substantial, and the vehicle had to be hauled from the scene on a flatbed truck.
TransLink spokesman Drew Snider said Coast Mountain has also launched its own probe into the crash.
"Adjudicators and trainers are at the Richmond transit centre right now looking over the bus," Snider said Monday.
Police are also searching for the light-coloured minivan that was seen leaving the crash scene. Anyone who witnessed the collision or can identify the minivan is asked to call the Deas Island RCMP at 604-946-2184.
