Families of 2 Palm Springs bus crash victims file lawsuits against the bus company, driver

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- The families of two of the victims in last Sunday's deadly bus crash near Palm Springs filed suit against the bus company and the estate of the bus driver.

The families of Gustavo Garcia and Tony Mai are suing for negligence and wrongful death.

Their lawyers have sent their own investigators to the site where the USA Holiday bus slammed into the back of a big rig traveling on Interstate 10.

The law firm said they have an eyewitness with new details, who claimed the big rig driver is also to blame.

Attorney Jane Braugh said the witness saw the accident unfold. She added that the witness noticed about 15 to 20 minutes before the accident happened, the I-10 was shut down in both directions for a short time.

"He said that he saw the truck parked in an active lane. The headlights were not on and that all that was on were parking breaks, so no hazards flashing," she said.

Thirteen people were killed and 31 others were injured in the crash. The families are now planning the funerals for their loved ones.

The California Highway Patrol said two of the tires on the bus were worn, but it was unclear if that contributed to the crash.

Eyewitness News also asked the CHP about the I-10 closure and a public information officer said he had not heard that report.

The lawyers said their eyewitness is now helping CHP in their investigation.