Passenger Steers Bus to Safety After OCTA Driver Is Stricken

A passenger on an OCTA bus in Irvine steered the swerving vehicle to safety Wednesday after the driver slumped over the wheel.

Driver Hilario Cardenas, 37, was declared dead shortly afterward at Irvine Regional Hospital and Medical Center, authorities said.

The Route 79 bus was carrying seven passengers, including a crying baby. It was traveling south on Culver Drive toward Michelson Drive when Cardenas, passed out, Orange County Transportation Authority officials said.

Ramya De Silva of Irvine, who was sitting directly behind the driver, acted quickly after hearing a strange noise and realizing that Cardenas was unconscious.

“I didn’t really have time to think,” said De Silva, 51, who came here 2 1/2 years ago from Sri Lanka.

“When I realized the bus was going across to another lane toward the median, I raised his body, grabbed the wheel and began to steer the bus back toward the curb.”

With the portly Cardenas lying across his lap, the 5-foot-5-inch, 130-pound De Silva had the presence of mind to look in the mirror and check for vehicles traveling in the right-hand lane.

He eventually stopped the bus, which had been traveling at about 35 mph, next to the curb.

“I’m surprised I didn’t panic,” he said. “I’m so happy I was of use to the community, but I’m sad about the bus driver.”

An autopsy is scheduled today to determine the cause of Cardenas’ death, a coroner’s official said.