ORLAND, Calif. (CBSLA.com) — A Humboldt State University alum and a Rancho Cucamonga resident are the first of ten victims to be identified following a fiery crash involving a FedEx delivery truck and a charter bus carrying high school students.
Michael Myvett, who works with autistic children in Torrance, was killed in the crash Thursday evening on the 5 Freeway near Orland, a small city about 90 minutes north of Sacramento. He and his fiancée, who recently became engaged in Paris, were HSU alums and acting as chaperones for students visiting the university. His fiancee remains unaccounted for.
Rancho Cucamonga resident Arthur Arzola, a 26-year-old counselor at Humbolt State University, was also killed.
Five students, two drivers and one other victim have yet to be identified.
Several students also remain unaccounted for, including: Ismael Jimenez and Denise Gomez of Amino Inglewood Charter High School, Adrian Castro of El Monte High School, and Jennifer Bonilla of Dorsey High School.
Bonilla’s sister, Nancy, spoke with KCAL9′s Louisa Hodge.
“My sister’s one of the missing students and they don’t know her condition or whereabouts or anything,” Bonilla said, adding, “At this moment, I just need someone to help me find my sister.”
Nine people died at the scene and a tenth succumbed to their injuries overnight in the burn center at UC Davis Medical Center.
The Glen County Coroner’s Office says the deceased have been taken to various mortuaries, but most cannot yet be identified due to the severity of their burns. It is expected to take several days to check dental records.
Authorities say the FedEx truck crossed a median and collided head-on with one of three charter buses headed to Humboldt to tour the campus. Both vehicles burst into flames as students kicked open windows to escape the fire.
Officials will be bringing in an accident reconstruction specialist and utilizing 3D mapping and other equipment to document the scene and reconstruct the crash, according to CHP. However, the investigation is expected to take months.
cant believe this just happened.. i was asleep and next thing you know i was jumping out for my life http://t.co/rYIuoyibG3—
(@jonathanngee) April 11, 2014
“Everything completely burned,” one official said. “Fire got here pretty quick, but by the time they got here, it was fully engulfed.”
It was unclear what caused the FedEx driver to lose control of the truck.
CHP officials said Friday morning that 31 victims were transported to seven Northern California hospitals. Their conditions ranged from good to critical.
At least 11 patients were taken to Enloe Medical Center, where two remained in serious condition, three were in fair condition, and six were discharged.
Authorities say 48 of the students were on the trip from the following Southland high schools:
Adolfo Camarillo High
Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Tech
Alliance Media Arts and Entert
Animo Inglewood Charter High
Animo Jackie Robinson Charter
Burroughs High
California Academy of Mathematics
Carson Senior High
Century High
Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy
Downey High
Eastside High
El Monte High
Environmental Charter
Gompers Preparatory Academy
John C. Fremont Senior High
La Sierra High
Loara High
Manual Arts Senior High
Marshall Fundamental
Mayfair High
Middle College High
Norte Vista High
Oxnard High
Pacifica High
Palm Desert High
Phineas Banning Senior High
Pioneer High
Polytechnic High
Pomona Senior High
Renaissance Arts Academy
School for the Visual Arts and
Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High
Ulysses S. Grant Senior High
Valhalla High
West Ranch High
Woodrow Wilson Senior High
The LAUSD said 19 of the 48 students attend schools in the district.
KNX 1070′s Pete Demetriou reports Superintendent John Deasy said the lingering effects will be handled by district professionals with the help of others.
“Only one or two students participated from each school. We will be providing support at these campuses this morning,” said Deasy.
Asst. Superintendent of Human Resources at Oxnard Union High School District Rocky Valles says two of its students suffered minor injuries.
“Our District and community is saddened to hear about the tragic bus accident that occurred in Northern California,” the district said in a statement. “We feel deeply about the students who lost their lives and our hearts are with their families. The Oxnard Union High School District had two students on the bus (one from Oxnard High School and one from Adolfo Camarillo High School). Both students were not injured and are safe. The students were released to their parents after leaving the hospital.
The trip was geared toward disadvantaged teens who would be the first in their family to attend college.
Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted about the crash.
So saddened to hear of students & chaperones in today's accident near Humboldt State. We are supporting LAUSD in efforts to help families.—
Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) April 11, 2014
“As we mourn the loss of those who died, we join all Californians in expressing our gratitude for the tireless work of the Red Cross and emergency personnel who responded bravely to this terrible tragedy,” Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement.
FedEx also released the following statement:
“All of us at FedEx are deeply saddened by the tragic highway accident in California. Our hearts go out to all of those involved and their families. We are cooperating fully with the officials investigating this accident.”
CSU Chancellor Timothy White said Friday that “the soul of the CSU has been cut deeply by this horrific accident.”
An NTSB team from Washington, D.C., along with leaders from the LAUSD, arrived on scene Friday morning.
A complete report on the cause of the accident is not expected for at least three months.
Humboldt State University police have set up an information line for parents and family at (707) 826-6327. Families can also contact the LAUSD at (213) 241-3841.
