VENTURA : Man Arrested After His Truck Hits Bus
A Ventura man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving Friday after slamming his full-size pickup truck into the back of a Ventura commuter bus, slightly injuring a passenger and himself.
William Clayton Hartman III, 36, was arrested after police administered a blood test in connection with the 6:10 p.m. accident on Telephone Road east of Kimball Road, police said. He was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
A passenger, Candice Valenzuela, 15, was treated at the scene for a bruised forehead.
Police said Hartman was driving east on Telephone Road behind the bus and failed to stop when the bus slowed for a passenger stop, Cpl. Bryan Roberts said.
“I heard the brakes lock up,” said Eric Prater, who lived near the accident. “It sounded like he hit a brick wall.”
Roberts said he was unsure how fast the truck was traveling but said the vehicle was damaged beyond repair. The rear of the bus was smashed in the accident.
Eastbound Telephone Road was closed for about two hours between Sterling Avenue and Kimball Road, police said.
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