Stanislaus bus driver credited with preventing crash when semi overturns on Hwy 99
A Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority bus driver is being credited with helping prevent a crash Monday after a big rig overturned and spilled debris across Highway 99 in Modesto, officials said.
StanRTA praised the driver, identified as Bill J., in a social media post, saying his quick reaction helped keep passengers safe during what the agency described as an intense situation along northbound Highway 99 near the Tuolumne Boulevard exit.
“Thanks to his quick thinking, a potential accident was avoided, keeping all our passengers safe and sound,” the agency said in its post.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Aaron Fay, the crash was reported around 12:35 p.m. when a 65-year-old Modesto man was driving a 2021 Peterbilt truck that overturned while entering the freeway from an on-ramp.
Fay said the driver was traveling too fast on the ramp, causing the truck to flip onto the highway and spill debris across multiple lanes.
No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported, Fay said.
The crash forced lane closures along northbound Highway 99 for several hours. Fay said the far-left lane remained open for traffic, while two other lanes stayed closed until cleanup was completed around 5 p.m.
StanRTA officials said the bus driver’s actions helped prevent a potential collision as traffic conditions changed quickly following the crash. The agency did not release additional details about the bus route or number of passengers involved.
Tow crews removed the overturned truck and debris from the roadway, allowing traffic to fully reopen later in the afternoon.
