Bus driver experiences fatal medical emergency, pulls over on 5 Freeway in Tejon Pass

TEJON PASS, Calif. (KABC) -- A bus driver who was driving on the 5 Freeway in the Tejon Pass with passengers onboard Thursday morning managed to pull over while experiencing a fatal medical emergency, authorities said.

About 4:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol began receiving calls reporting that the bus was weaving in and out of southbound lanes on the freeway, a CHP spokesperson told ABC7.

The male driver was initially thought to have possibly been falling asleep while operating the bus, according to the Highway Patrol. He eventually stopped the vehicle on the right shoulder, near Smokey Bear Road, about 8 miles south of Gorman.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said. His name was not immediately released. The cause of death is under investigation by the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office, whose officials responded to the location.

The bus was full of passengers at the time of the incident, none of whom were reported injured. They continued on to their destination after another bus was sent to the scene to pick them up.

The CHP initially said it was a Greyhound driver. But when reached for comment, Greyhound said the bus was operated by a company called Tour Coach and the driver was not an employee of Greyhound.

An official said Tour Coach does occasionally transport Greyhound passengers.