BajaNomad

Winds called factor in crash fatal to 4 along TJ-Mexicali toll road

BajaNews - 2-16-2006 at 04:36 PM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20060216-9...

February 16, 2006

TIJUANA ? State authorities believe strong winds were a factor in a bus accident Tuesday night that left four passengers dead, including the driver, and six others injured.

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz bus was part of a fleet run by the Transportes y Autobuses del Pac?fico company, commonly known here as TAP.

It was traveling on the toll road from the Tijuana area to the eastern Baja California border city of Mexicali through the mountainous La Rumorosa region when it careened off the road around 11:30 p.m., state authorities said. The road has many hairpin turns.

Speed didn't appear to be a factor, according to a news release from the Baja California Attorney General's Office.

State authorities identified only one of the dead: Esteban Gallardo G?mez, 60. They also said that one of the dead was the bus driver but didn't release his name. The injured ranged in age from 34 to 67. The victims were being treated at a Mexicali hospital, according to state authorities.