Driver distracted by GPS crashes into Muni bus

SAN FRANCISCO -- Three passengers and a bus operator on a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus were injured when a distracted driver crashed into the bus near San Francisco's Laguna Honda Hospital Thursday evening, police and Muni officials said.

The crash was reported at 7:40 p.m. on Laguna Honda Boulevard near Clarendon Avenue, according to police.

Muni spokesman Paul Rose said the driver hit an inbound 43-Masonic bus.

Police said the 22-year-old driver was heading north on Laguna Honda Boulevard while looking at his GPS device. He crossed over into oncoming traffic and hit the bus head-on.

Four people on the bus, including the operator, suffered injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.

The injuries to the driver, bus riders and operator included cuts to the stomach and abdominal and neck pain, police said.

The bus driver and passengers were all women ages 19, 50, 32, and 62.

Rose said the operator suffered minor injuries and has been placed on non-driving status as the accident is investigated.

The bus was towed back to the yard and other passengers transferred to another bus, he said.

Damage to the bus is being assessed and repairs will follow, he said.

Following the incident, Muni officials reported delays and reroutes on the 36-Teresita, 43-Masonic, and 44-O'Shaugnessy bus lines.