Corona, CA: 2 killed, 2 injured in Calif. bus bench crash

Two people were killed and two others were severely injured Friday after a car plowed into a bus bench in the Southern California city of Riverside, according to police.

The four-door Kia sedan crashed into a light pole before smashing into the bus stop bench, hitting four people who were waiting for a bus, said Officer Bryan Galbreath.

Witnessed told investigators the sedan stopped at a red light, proceeded when the light turned green, and veered sharply to the right, said Lieutenant Eric Charrette. It's unclear what caused the change in direction.

A 28-year-old woman and a 7-year-old girl, both of Corona, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 31-year-old Riverside man and a 30-year-old Corona woman were taken to Riverside Community Hospital with severe injuries. No names have been released pending family identification.

Galbreath said the 45-year-old driver has been detained.

He told the Riverside Press-Enterprise there were no skid marks leading to the bus stop and neither speed nor intoxication immediately appeared to be a factor in the crash. Galbreath said police are investigating whether the driver was intoxicated.

Riverside is about 55 miles east of Los Angeles.

The Associated Press