Man Pinned Under Bus Wheels Dies

A man who was dragged and pinned beneath the wheels of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus has died of his injuries, Burbank police said Tuesday.

The victim, identified by hospital officials as Jorge F. Medina, 42, of Mission Hills, was apparently trying to cross Olive Avenue at 1st Street about 5:45 p.m. Monday when he was hit by a bus making a right turn from 1st onto Olive, authorities said.

Witnesses said Medina was dragged about 40 feet beforea passerby banging on the busdoor was able to get the driver to stop.

Once the bus stopped, Medina remained pinned beneath a rear wheel until Burbank firefighters freed him by using inflatable bags to lift the vehicle.

Medina was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he later died, Burbank Police Capt. Gordon Bowers said.

The bus driver was identified as Jesse Kuhn of North Hollywood, who has worked for MTA for three years, according to spokesman Rick Jager.

“Apparently the bus driver did not see the individual,” Jager said. “[Kuhn is] quite traumatized by the incident.”

The accident is being investigated by detectives with theBurbank Police Department traffic division, Lt. Robert Giles said.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Burbank traffic investigator at (818) 238-3100.