WREG.com

Driver hurt, child survives fiery crash with MATA bus

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis Area Transit Authority bus was involved in a crash with another vehicle early Thursday morning.

It happened in front of the Southland Mall in the westbound lanes of Shelby Drive near Faronia Road at around 5:42 a.m. Police say a Dodge Charger struck the back of a MATA bus and caught on fire.


Memphis Police initially said the driver of the vehicle that collided with the bus had been shot. Later Thursday afternoon, police said the driver had not been shot, and that all of his injuries were the result of the crash.

Police said they thought the driver had been shot due to the trauma he sustained.

The man was taken to Baptist Hospital in critical condition.

Memphis Police said a passenger and a child were also involved. The two were reportedly able to leave the scene.

Officers later located the child, who was taken to Le Bonheur in non-critical condition.

In a video obtained by WREG, you can see the driver going down Shelby Drive and moments later making contact with the bus, which was then followed by smoke and flames.

MATA said at the time of the crash, there were two passengers and an employee on board, who were not injured in the accident.