Thirteen people, including a bus driver, were taken to four area hospitals this morning after an RTD bus hit a light pole in northeast Denver.
The accident happened at about 7 a.m. near the intersection of East 49th Avenue and Dallas Street, said Scott Reed, an RTD spokesman.
Police investigators believe the driver, Linda Davis, 55, dozed off on the job.
“It appears the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel,” said Leslie Branch-Wise, a Denver Police Department spokeswoman.
Davis was cited for careless driving, Branch-Wise said.
The driver has been with RTD for two years and has a “good” driving record, Reed said.
She had 12 hours off between shifts before starting on Thursday morning, Reed said.
Bus drivers are instructed to call for relief if they need it, Reed said.
“If operators report that they are feeling tired or sleepy, if they report that to dispatch, we will get them a relief driver,” he said.
The injuries to bus riders included a broken nose and a possible concussion, Reed said.
None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening, he added.
RTD and police are investigating the incident.
Davis has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.
The bus that hit the pole was on RTD route 43.
No other vehicle was involved in the crash.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
