The driver of a Resorts World Casino bus was in serious condition when he tried to avoid a vehicle making a sharp turn in front of him in Rego Park on Monday afternoon. Several other people were also hurt in the incident.
James Honodrat, 39, was driving the bus northbound on Woodhaven Boulevard when a vehicle made a sharp turn in front of him at 63rd Avenue, according to reports. Honodrat attempted to avoid the vehicle by making a sharp right turn, but ended up striking the corner of a building at 62-87 Woodhaven Boulevard. The structure was badly damaged from the collision.
“The building literally crumbled around the bus,” witness and volunteer firefighter PJ Marcell told reporters. “The bus hit it with brute force, sheared almost three-quarters of its nose off.”
The bus driver was found pinned in the bus and officials said they had a hard time getting him out. He was taken to New York Hospital Queens in serious condition, authorities said.
The passengers on the bus had to climb through side windows because the doors were jammed on the bus. Four passengers were injured, along with one person inside the building, officials said. All five people were taken to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the vehicle was issued a summons for making an illegal left turn, police said.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact Jared Levine of Morgan Levine Dolan at 212-461-499 today.
