Dump truck hits METRO bus, sending it into parking lot

(1/18/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A half dozen people were taken to the hospital when a METRO bus was broadsided by a dump truck that sent the bus careening into a parking lot.

The bus ended up at the intersection of Saint Emanuel and Franklin near Minute Maid Park.

One look at the METRO bus and you can begin to imagine just how scary the ride was for the passengers inside.

Andrew Spenella wasn't on the bus, but saw the whole incident flash before his eyes.

"I opened up our garage doors to the let the dogs out and just as I did, I saw the bus and the dump truck collide," said Spenella. "The bus blew through the parking lot, took down both fences, hit our trailer, our truck and kept going until it came to a complete stop."

METRO police say the dump truck ran a red light, colliding into the bus and sending it through two parking lots where it hit four parked vehicles. Troy Davis was inside one of the cars.

"I think I'm lucky to still be here," said Davis.

Davis is all right, but five passengers and the bus driver were transported to the hospital.

Artists in a nearby studio say the bus barely missed hitting their building.

"We were in shock because we were just sitting there painting and all of a sudden we heard a boom and we don't know what it is," said eyewitness Michael Taylor. "We run outside and we see the METRO bus and that half of the vehicles in the parking were hit, the fence torn down and we see a lot of people in shock and panic mode."

Andrew Spenella says he will never open the garage door the same way again.

"When you open the garage door and you have a bus coming at you, it's a little unnerving," he said.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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