Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Many Unanswered Questions Following Fatal FedEx Truck-Bus Crash

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board about a fiery crash between a FedEx Freight tractor-trailer and a bus in California killing 10 won’t be issued for at least about another month.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
April 13, 2014
2 min to read


A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board about a fiery crash between a FedEx Freight tractor-trailer and a bus in California that killed 10 won’t be issued for at least about another month.

Investigators are expected to be on the scene for another five to 10 days near Orland, Calif., north of Sacramento. The crash happened late Thursday afternoon along Interstate 5, after the truck crossed the median, hitting the bus traveling in the opposite direction.

Ad Loading...

The board said on Sunday while it has not ruled out the possibility that the truck was on fire before it crossed the median like some eyewitnesses claim,  so far it has found no immediate evidence of a pre-impact fire. It did confirm it has found no evidence the tractor trailer tried to brake before it crossed the median at about a 10-degree angle. They found more than 150 feet of skid marks from the bus as it tried to avoid being struck.

Investigators have reportedly recovered the electronic control module from the bus, which could hold some clues as to how the crash happened. The one from the truck was too heavily damaged. There is other physical evidence from both vehicles they will examine.

The bus was carrying high-school students from Southern California to an event at a college in the northern part of the state. Five students were killed, along with three chaperones. The drivers of both the truck and bus were also killed. More than 30 others of the near 50 passengers on the bus were injured, some seriously.

Ad Loading...

A final report from the NTSB could take around a year to prepare.

More Safety & Compliance

Graphic with DOT seal in background and photo of Steve Downling
Safety & Complianceby StaffAugust 18, 2026

New FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Has Trucking Industry and Law Enforcement Experience

Steve Dowling joins FMCSA after serving as senior director of safety at Covenant Logistics and in leadership roles in commercial motor vehicle industry organizations.

Read More →
Illustration of data privacy, big brother concept, and truck driver behind the wheel
Safety & Complianceby Deborah LockridgeAugust 17, 2026

Driver Trust Can Make or Break the Success of Fleet Safety Technology

New Teletrac Navman research suggests that onboarding, transparency about driver data, and positive feedback can play a significant role in how commercial drivers respond to safety and coaching technology.

Read More →
Safety & Complianceby StaffAugust 14, 2026

FMCSA: Stop Using These 15 Electronic Logging Devices

Fleets and drivers must replace the revoked ELDs with ones on the FMCSA's registered device list of electronic logging devices.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photos of three men and two women with HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fleet ManagementCover Storyby Deborah LockridgeAugust 13, 2026

How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations

Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.

Read More →
Screen shot of Geotab Investigations dashboard

Geotab Launches Tool to Speed Fleet Incident Investigations

Geotab Investigations brings telematics data, video, photos, reports and other evidence into one case file to help fleets determine what happened and resolve incidents faster.

Read More →
Safety & Complianceby Deborah LockridgeAugust 10, 2026

FMCSA Moves to Codify English Language Requirements for Commercial Drivers

By changing regulations on English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, rather than relying on a guidance memo, the FMCSA said future administrations won't be able to walk back the Trump administration's stricter enforcement with just a memo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photos of a commercial truck vehicle inspector looking at a tanker trailer and a man with his hands in his pockets wearing a jacket with the letters HSI on the back (Homeland Security Investigations)

Trump Administration Expands Homeland Security's Role in Trucking Enforcement

The administration's latest trucking crackdown goes beyond roadside inspections, expanding Homeland Security's role in commercial vehicle enforcement and investigations involving CDL training schools.

Read More →
Maintenanceby StaffAugust 3, 2026

Paccar Recalls 2027 Trucks Built This Summer for Possible Electrical Problem

The nearly 6,000 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in the recall could potentially lose engine power, among other things.

Read More →
CVSA inspector photo in background with CVSA logo superimposed on top
Maintenanceby News/Media ReleaseJuly 31, 2026

Brake Safety Week to Focus on Drums and Rotors

Commercial vehicle inspectors will be focusing on brakes during CVSA's Brake Safety Week, August 23-29.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
American flag in background with photos of military truck and Freedom Haulers ad graphic
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJuly 30, 2026

Trump Administration Looks to Put More Veterans Behind the Wheel

The Freedom Haulers program pulls together existing and expanded programs at several federal agencies to recruit veterans to drive commercial heavy-duty trucks and cut the red tape for them to get a CDL, training, and employment.

Read More →