UPDATE 6:04 PM
The bus driver, a 52-year-old man from Whittier, Calif., survived with minor injuries and was speaking with CHP investigators.
10News learned the charter bus originated from El Monte in East Los Angeles and made multiple stops en route to San Ysidro, including Riverside and Murrieta.
The bus crashed about 20 miles south of Murrieta in Pala Mesa.
Three females, described as Hispanic, were killed in the crash, authorities said.
According to officials, a five-year-old male passenger was transported to Riverside University Health Systems Medical Center, about 50 miles north from the scene of the crash.
Five other passengers were transported to Palomar Hospital, seven were transported to Temecula Valley Hospital, and five were taken to Inland Valley Hospital. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
California Highway Patrol said the bus was equipped with seat belts. It is unknown if the injured passengers were secured into the seat belts at the time of the crash.
Stay with 10News for updates to this developing story.
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PALA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) — At least three people were killed and 18 other people were injured after a charter bus crashed and overturned on Interstate 15 Saturday.
The bus was on southbound I-15 just south of State Route 76 before 10:30 a.m. The bus lost control for some reason, skidding into the dirt on the freeway's shoulder and overturning.
Officers arrived to find the bus overturned with at least one passenger trapped inside still. Crews also needed to stabilize the bus to prevent it from falling down an embankment.
At least three people were killed, according to North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD). One victim was found dead inside the bus, NCFPD Capt. John Choi told City News Service.
Some passengers were ejected from the crash.
Eighteen people were taken to Inland Valley Hospital, Palomar Medical Center, and Temecula for injuries ranging from minor to critical condition. The ages of passengers ranges from minors to adults.
The bus driver, a man from Whittier, Calif., survived with minor injuries and was speaking with CHP investigators. The bus was traveling from the Los Angeles area to San Ysidro.
A Sig Alert was issued for the area after lanes of traffic on SB I-15 were closed for first responders to work in the area.
Crews from Camp Pendleton, CalFire, Pala Mesa, Vista, and Oceanside were assisting, Choi told CNS.
10News is monitoring this breaking news. City News Service contributed to this report.
