NEW YORK — An MTA bus crashed into a building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, leaving at least 16 people injured, according to the FDNY.
Officials said the B49 bus was traveling southbound on Bedford Avenue before it veered into the home at 174 Lincoln Road just before 2 p.m.
Witness Prentis Mitchell said it felt like a scene out of a movie.
“Me and the other guy that was at the light, we jumped out, tried to get people off the bus and help them out,” he said.
Mitchell said he was stopped at a red light before the crash, and told NY1 he was one of several people to help open the bus doors for passengers.
Officials said all 16 injuries were non life-threatening. 13 people were taken to local hospitals.
“A couple of older women that were hurt, looking like they were hurt internally,” said Mitchell. “The bus driver was bleeding on his arm but he wasn’t concerned about him, he was concerned about the passengers.”
People also had to be evacuated from the building. The Department of Buildings was on site Monday assessing the damage. The department also said late Monday night that the building is no longer safe, is not structurally sound because of the damage and residents have been offered assistance finding emergency housing.
Officials say the bus driver is 55 years old, has been on the job for 13 years, and has never had a major collision.
“He’s had collisions but no remarkable safety records. In other words, in 13 years, he hasn’t had many,” said Craig Cipriano, president of MTA Bus.
“Never seen anything like this and so blessed that nobody was on that corner,” said neighbor Arnita Tillman. “In fact, I was going take the 49 bus, but because of this accident, the bus was detoured.”
The cause of the crash is still unknown. MTA officials said an initial investigation indicated the bus was not speeding. They told NY1 it also didn’t appear to be a mechanical issue.
When asked about it, authorities acknowledged they were also looking into the possibility that the driver’s foot got stuck between the brake and the accelerator, as their investigation continues.
Officials said the bus would be removed Tuesday at the earliest.
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Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article stated the bus crash left at least 17 people injured, according to the FDNY. The FDNY later put the injury count at 16.
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