The driver and passenger of a van were killed today when it collided head-on with a San Mateo County Transit District bus Friday afternoon in San Mateo, police and SamTrans officials said.
Five bus passengers were injured in the collision, which was reported at about 12:45 p.m. near South El Camino Real and 12th Avenue.
A passenger in the van died at the scene and the driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries a short time later, SamTrans spokeswoman Jayme Ackemann said.
Those killed were identified today as 84-year-old Joseph Stivala and 79-year-old Anna Stivala, according to the San Mateo County coroner's office.
Five bus passengers were also taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Ackemann said.
Ironically, the fatal crash happened in front of a funeral home.
The SamTrans bus was on its usual route on El Camino Real from Palo Alto to Daly City when a green van coming from the opposite direction crossed over the divider near downtown San Mateo.
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Susy Wiggins of San Jose was driving right behind the bus, trying to turn into the funeral home parking lot.
“I was behind the bus and the bus abruptly stopped, and I thought what a way to stop for a bus stop," Wiggins said. "All these people were jumping off the bus.”
Northbound South El Camino Real was closed from Ninth to 12th Avenue and two southbound lanes were also closed in the area following the crash, but has now reopened.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
SMPD & @SanMateoFD on scene fatal collision 12th Ave @ S. El Camino Real-N/B S. El Camino closed as are 2 lanes S/B. http://t.co/TKGQQ57nin — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) September 26, 2014
Injury collision 12th and S. El Camino Real involving SamTrans bus. Emergency crews on scene. Update via twitter. Expect traffic delays. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) September 26, 2014
