Tour bus crash in Desert Hot Springs

Felipa Martinez leaves her condolences while attending a Los Angeles vigil for the victims of the tour bus crash in Desert Hot Springs.

Friends and neighbors attend a vigil for the victims of the tour bus crash at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Koreatown, where the bus was supposed to return.

Rita Roden, left and fiance Darryal Molett, wait to board a QH Express bus headed for Pala Casinoas a vigil for the crash victims is held nearby.

Jennifer Ruiz, 26, attends a vigil for her mother, Rosa “Rosalba” Ruiz, a victim of the crash.

Jennifer Ruiz, 26, hugs a supporter at a vigil for her mother, Rosa “Rosalba” Ruiz, and the other victims of the bus crash.

California Highway Patrol and National Transportation Safety Board officials at a news conference Monday about the crash investigation.

California Highway Patrol Border Division Chief Jim Abele, right, and Earl Weener of the National Transportation Safety Board speak at a news conference Monday.

Jose Ramirez, who said he had planned to go to the casino on the USA Holiday tour bus but changed his mind, visits a memorial for the crash victims.

Rosa Cabello crosses her heart as she says a blessing at a memorial for the crash victims.

Gabriel Urano, who drives an 18-passenger van to the casinos, places a St. Christopher medal on a memorial for the victims of the tour bus crash.

Authorities said 13 people were killed and 31 injured Sunday morning when a tour bus crashed into the back of a big rig near Palm Springs.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The bus struck the rear of a tractor trailer in Desert Hot Springs.

The front of the bus was crumpled and the first few rows of seats were completely crushed, a witness said.

Broken bus seats and other debris is removed from the scene.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A tow truck driver drags a broken bus seat away.

Shortly after the wreck, which occurred just after 5 a.m., firefighters used ladders to climb into the bus to search for bodies and survivors.

A CHP officer packs purses and backpacks into brown paper bags.

Bodies of victims are removed from the scene.