A bus carrying 36 people, including teens and young adults from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana, overturned Sunday night while returning from a church camp in the San Bernardino Mountains. The incident occurred on a winding two-lane highway near Running Springs, approximately 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Cyntia Ramirez, a 21-year-old community college student who was on board, described the moments before the crash: “The bus began to shake and swerve then rocked side to side before toppling over.” She added, “It’s just a freak accident.” Ramirez said she was pulled out through a hatch on the roof by a youth leader.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, “A total of 26 patients, including three with major injuries, were treated. Of those, 20 were transported to area hospitals, all by ground ambulances.” The remaining passengers declined transportation. Photos released by the fire department showed paramedics attending to patients in a triage area set up on the highway. There was no fire or hazardous material exposure reported.
The bus was part of a group returning from a three-day youth retreat at Camp Nawakwa near Angelus Oaks. Jarryd Gonzales, spokesperson for the Diocese of Orange, stated that about 125 people participated in the event and traveled home in several vans and one bus. Gonzales said: “We extend our deepest gratitude to the first-responder agencies for their prompt and professional response in safely evacuating passengers and ensuring they received proper medical attention.”
Youth leader Prisilla Mendoza recounted her experience: “I was asleep and I just woke up and I heard everybody screaming.” She noted that she blacked out after the crash and does not remember how she exited the vehicle.
Father José Félix Troncoso reported that about six individuals remained hospitalized with injuries such as fractured fingers and at least one head injury.
The California Highway Patrol is leading an investigation into the cause of the crash. The route was closed in both directions during this process. Father Troncoso mentioned he had left after leading Mass for the group earlier that day and learned about the accident later that evening.
