Gamblers Hurt When Bus Slams Big Rig on I-15

A chartered bus returning Southland gamblers from Nevada struck the rear of a slower-moving big rig before dawn Thursday on Interstate 15 in Rancho Cucamonga, seriously injuring the bus driver and throwing the passengers topsy-turvy, the California Highway Patrol reported.

All of the 37 bus passengers sustained injuries, but most were quickly treated and released from local hospitals, authorities said.

The driver, identified by the CHP as Pedro Gonzalez, 27, of Gardena, was trapped behind the steering wheel for about two hours before he was freed. He was airlifted in serious condition to San Bernardino County Medical Center and underwent surgery for a compound leg fracture, said John Stokes, the CHP investigating officer.

Stokes said the driver of the big rig, Jim Pinson, 59, reported that he had been stopped along the southbound shoulder of the freeway, then used the shoulder to accelerate. He had merged into the slow lane and was traveling between 40 and 45 mph when he was struck from behind by the bus, Stokes said. His truck was loaded with 41,700 pounds of frozen pizzas.

The passengers were being returned by the charter bus to various Southland locations after a “quick-turnaround” trip to casinos at Jean, Nev., Stokes said.