School Bus Crashes Into Building on Eastern Parkway

An empty school bus careened off Eastern Parkway during the busy Thursday morning commute, mounted the sidewalk and slammed into the entrance of a residential building in Crown Heights.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:21 a.m. at 869 Eastern Parkway, between Albany and Kingston avenues, one block from 770. The bus had been traveling westbound on the main roadway before veering across the curb and sidewalk and crashing into the front of the building.

Surveillance footage captures the frightening moments before impact, showing several pedestrians on the sidewalk narrowly avoiding the bus as it mounted the curb and barreled toward the building. Moments earlier, the bus can be seen swerving sharply, though authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the driver to lose control.

A man standing near the building, who identified himself to CBS News New York as Isaac Hager, said he had only seconds to react as the bus came toward him. Hager said he first “jump[ed] into the building,” then came back out as he realized where the bus was headed. “I didn’t want to get hurt,” he said. He initially thought the bus would hit one of the poles outside, but realized “in the split of a second” that it had passed between them and was heading directly into the building, allowing him to run clear as the gates shifted from the impact.

No students were aboard the bus. The driver, who was alone inside, suffered minor injuries and was expected to be okay. No pedestrians or residents were reported injured. NYC Public Schools told Anash.org that the bus was not operating on a city public-school route at the time of the crash.

The impact caused significant damage around the building’s entrance. Residents were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters secured the area and the Department of Buildings was called to examine the structure.

FDNY told Anash.org that one civilian patient refused medical attention and that its operation at the scene concluded at 10:59 a.m.

The westbound Eastern Parkway service lane alongside the building remained closed late Thursday morning as crews continued working at the scene.

Video courtesy of Crown Heights Shomrim