Tragic Head-On Crash on California Highway Claims Six Lives

A devastating collision between a pickup truck and a Tehama County transit bus on Highway 99W near Red Bluff, California, resulted in six fatalities and one serious injury on January 14, 2026.

The incident unfolded around 10:00 a.m. south of Gyle Road, turning a routine commute into a fiery catastrophe.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Red Bluff press release, a gray Toyota Tacoma driven by a single occupant veered across the broken yellow centerline into the northbound lane for reasons still under investigation.

There, it slammed head-on into a northbound Tehama County TRAX transit bus carrying five passengers and its driver, causing the bus to become fully engulfed in flames.

Crash Details and Response

Emergency crews from CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit, Tehama County Fire Department, and Corning Fire Department rushed to the scene, battling the blaze amid a full road closure between Sonoma Avenue and Gyle Road.

The truck driver died at the scene, as did the bus driver and four passengers. One bus passenger, suffering major injuries, was airlifted to Enloe Medical Center in Chico and remains in critical condition.

CHP noted that speeds and potential factors like drugs or alcohol remain undetermined, with the investigation ongoing.

Identities are withheld pending family notifications; the public is urged to contact Tehama County Coroner’s Office at (530) 527-1130 for passenger details or CHP Red Bluff at (530) 737-6746 for crash witnesses.

Highway 99W reopened by late afternoon after crews cleared the wreckage, but the emotional toll lingers.

Community Impact

Tehama County Public Works suspended all transit services through Thursday out of respect for affected families and operational needs, with resumption anticipated Friday, January 16.

“Our thoughts are with those impacted during this difficult time,” their statement read, emphasizing community patience.

Local media captured the grim scene: charred bus remnants and emergency lights piercing the rural highway’s calm.

This tragedy underscores vulnerabilities on two-lane highways like 99W, where centerline crossovers claim numerous lives annually in California.

CHP continues piecing together the “unknown reasons” behind the Tacoma’s drift, as families grieve and officials probe for preventive insights.

Enhanced barriers or awareness campaigns may follow, echoing past fiery bus crashes that spurred safety reforms.

Also See: Ogden Driver Sentenced to Two Years in Jail for Fatal DUI Crash