Metro bus crashes, brings down utility pole in Lake View Terrace

LAKE VIEW TERRACE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities are investigating after a Metro bus crashed into a utility pole in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles.

The incident was reported shortly before 3:00 p.m. Wednesday in the 12200 block of W. Van Nuys Boulevard, according to the L.A. Fire Department.

Aerial footage from AIR7 showed the orange Metro bus over the sidewalk with a large utility pole on its roof.

LAFD says there were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the collision.

A 73-year-old man was transported to a local hospital in fair condition, fire officials said, and a 35-year-old man was checked out on scene but refused transport. It was not immediately clear who the driver was.

Metro said in a statement that "an eastbound Metro Bus Line 233 had a mechanical breakdown, causing it to roll forward at the intersection."

"While the bus was rolling forward, it collided with a power pole and a tree that fell on a pedestrian. The bus ultimately came to a stop when it made contact with a residential wall," the statement said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews responded to the scene to handle the downed pole and wires, according to LAFD.

LADWP reported a power outage in the nearby area of Pacoima affecting at least 1,343 customers, but it was not immediately clear if it was related to the crash.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.