A head-on collision between a Chumash Casino Resort bus and a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup truck killed Simon Ruiz, 52, of Norwalk, Monday morning on Highway 154 west of Zaca Station Road.
Ruiz was driving his pickup truck in light rain on eastbound Highway 154 at about 11:27 a.m., according to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) report. At the same time, a casino-operated 2015 Ford F750 passenger bus for employees was traveling westbound on Highway 154. The bus was carrying one passenger.
For unknown reasons, Ruiz reportedly lost control of his pickup truck, which began to spin counter clockwise. “The vehicle traveled out of control as it crossed over the double yellow lines and adjacent westbound left turn lane, where it entered the westbound traffic lane occupied by the bus,” said the CHP. The bus reportedly turned to the right, but was unable to avoid the truck.