MTS bus driver dies after medical emergency and crash on SR-163

A bus driver died after he suffered a medical emergency Tuesday and crashed the vehicle on a freeway near University Heights, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened about 9 a.m. on northbound state Route 163, CHP spokesperson Officer Kimberly Gonzalez said in a news release.

She said the 60-year-old driver was north of University Avenue, on MTS Bus Route 120, when he began to experience a medical emergency. The bus veered off the freeway, struck a guardrail on the right shoulder and came to rest on the long onramp that leads from Sixth Avenue to SR-163.

The driver was taken to a hospital, where he died. His name was not released pending his family’s notification of his death.

“MTS staff is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of one of our bus operators this morning,” MTS spokesperson Hector Zermeno said. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

A San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesperson said fire crews were able to open a jammed bus door to free passengers.

One person was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Fire-Rescue said.