RPD Offers Safety Tips After RTC Bus Driver is Struck and Killed by Vehicle

The Reno Police Department began responding to a minor crash in the area of Silver Lake and Silver Sky Friday night around 7:40pm.

The initial report was a Citifare bus had been involved in an accident with a small passenger car.  A few minutes later police began receiving additional calls that while the bus driver and the other involved driver were observing the damage to the bus, a third vehicle struck the bus driver, who was standing in the street.

The bus driver was transported to Renown and later pronounced deceased.

The Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene. 

Detectives have learned the bus driver was struck by an SUV which was immediately hit by a fourth vehicle. Police say it appears the setting sun made visibility poor for all vehicles traveling westbound. 

Officer Tim Broadway, Public Information Officer with the Reno Police Department, says when necessary, wear sunglasses and use the car's visor to block out any sun glare.

If it is still too difficult to see, Broadway says to slow down.

"A lot of it is determined by speed, if you're not able to see obviously your vision is impaired a couple feet in front of you versus when you can actually see several hundred yards in front of you, just slow it down and be more safe," says Broadway.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor. The bus driver’s identity is being withheld pending notifications of the next of kin.   

The investigation is on-going.  If anyone has information regarding this accident they are encouraged to contact the Reno Police Department's Traffic Division at 775-657-4662 or secret witness at 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com or text the tip to 847411(TIP).

The Reno Police Department would like to remind anyone involved in a minor crash to move out of the roadway and find a safe location.  It is common for secondary crashes to occur when vehicles stay in the roadway.  

"First thing you need to think about whether you're a bus driver or a citizen driving is your own personal safety, are you safe, is it safe to get out of the vehicle, did airbags deploy, if you have passengers in your car, especially small children are they okay?" says Broadway.