At least 14 people were hospitalized as investigators review video, witness statements and roadway evidence.
HOUSTON, Texas — City crews on Sunday continued clearing an embankment along State Highway 288 where a METRO Route 54 bus landed on its side a day earlier after a rear-end crash on the McGowen Street overpass, a Midtown incident that injured riders and left the other driver in critical condition.
Officials said the bus went off the bridge shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, sliding down a grassy slope and stopping just above the southbound lanes. Firefighters, transit police and towing teams worked into the evening to stabilize and later lift the vehicle. Authorities said at least 14 people were transported to hospitals for treatment and evaluation. The crash forced intermittent closures around the 288 and Interstate 69 interchange, adding to weekend congestion while investigators documented the scene and prepared the bus for removal.
Houston Fire Department leaders said six ambulances and specialized rescue units responded. Several passengers were able to exit through side windows, while others waited for crews to arrive with ladders and cutting tools. Rescuers freed the operator after a difficult extrication because the bus rested at a sharp angle. A witness at the stop near the bridge, Latafia Harris, said she was waiting to board when the collision happened. “I’m just shook,” Harris said. “We were about to get on that bus.” Officials said the driver of the car that struck the bus from behind was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Transit police said early evidence points to a rear-end impact on the overpass preceding the rollover. Investigators are gathering statements, checking onboard and traffic cameras and mapping scrape marks and debris. Authorities have not released names. They said passenger injuries ranged from minor cuts to suspected fractures; none were immediately reported life-threatening. Hazmat teams monitored for fuel or hydraulic fluid leaks, and engineers surveyed guardrail and pavement damage. Sunday’s recovery plan included lifting the coach, securing loose glass and panels, and moving the vehicle to a METRO facility for inspection.
Midtown’s McGowen crossing above 288 is a busy connector for neighborhood routes and downtown traffic. Route 54 serves several stops through the corridor on weekends. Large-vehicle rollovers remain uncommon on Houston transit lines, though roadway work and tight ramps near the 288–I-69 interchange can complicate heavy towing and crash cleanup. On Saturday, police diverted traffic from the frontage road and closed portions of the overpass while cranes and wreckers staged under the bridge, creating slowdowns that extended through early evening.
Officials said the crash remains under active investigation. Standard steps include alcohol and drug screening, mechanical checks and a review of the operator’s hours and route history. METRO said it will issue a preliminary incident report after interviews are complete and video is downloaded. Engineers will evaluate the bridge rail and embankment for repairs. Authorities said they expect to update conditions of the injured, including the car’s driver, after hospitals provide clearances. No criminal charges had been announced as of Sunday morning.
By late Sunday, the bus had been righted and removed from the slope, and crews were working to reopen all lanes near the interchange. Investigators planned to return during daylight to finalize measurements. The next update is expected once METRO finishes its initial review and releases a summary of findings.
Author note: Last updated January 4, 2026.