Senior highway accident investigator Don Karol said Wednesday that it's not known what occurred immediately before Tuesday's crash and that the NTSB will be working with the California Highway Patrol to find out.
The driver survived, but officials haven't been able to speak to him because of his injuries.
Authorities say there were 27 people on the bus, including the driver. Besides the passengers who died, seven suffered major injuries, three had moderate injuries and 13 received minor injuries.
PHOTOS: Deadly tour bus crash on California's Highway 99
Shortly after Tuesday's crash, a California Highway Patrol officer at the scene said five people died.
RELATED: Bus company in deadly crash has history of violations, problems
The bus struck the pole of a road sign, and it tore through the seating area. The sheriff says there were dismemberments.
Officials say the dead include a married couple from Mexico who were traveling to visit a daughter in Pasco, Washington, and a man from Avalon, California, whose spouse is hospitalized.
A fourth victim is only identified as a man in his late 30s whose family is being sought through a Mexican consulate.
#caltrans takes down sign frame at Hwy 99 bus crash to allow removal of wreckage. 99 north still closed. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/ZsChHOmuaX
— David Louie (@abc7david) August 2, 2016
Workers dismantling exit sign that split bus on Hwy 99 near Livingston. Bus wrapped around pole. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/hZg2YkcmWI
— David Louie (@abc7david) August 2, 2016
MORE: Driver ID'd as: Mario David Vasquez, 57 - still alive but major injuries. Hospitalized. Right now 5 dead, 6 airlifted @abc7newsbayarea
— Jessica Castro (@JessicaABC7) August 2, 2016
UPDATE: Rescuers extricating passengers in bus crash that killed at least 5 people. https://t.co/f2zYxHfTDG pic.twitter.com/DiCVgP4Vee
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) August 2, 2016
#BREAKING: 5 killed in charter bus crash on NB Hwy 99 near Livingston, CHP says; Watch ABC7 nowhttps://t.co/Al4sONZ2Et
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) August 2, 2016