Word of the tragic bus accident that occurred on April 4 on Interstate 80 between the Floriston and Hirschdale exits sent a cold chill through the community. The bus, owned and operated by the Resort at Squaw Creek, was doing its routine delivery of Reno employees to their jobs at the Resort. The bus swerved off of the road, hit a guardrail and then flipped at least three times. Many of the passengers were thrown from the bus and suffered minor to severe injuries. Pablo Olivas, 25, of Reno was not so lucky. He was pronounced dead on the scene later that morning.
Of the 24 injured, five to eight people were considered seriously injured, many with lacerations and broken bones, and some with head trauma. Many of the injured were released from the hospitals that day, but two still remained as of May 5 at Renown Medical Center in Reno Nevada. According to the Truckee CHP, one woman is still in serious condition. According to Resort at Squaw Creek Public Relations Director Marc Sapoznik, the remaining victim, the bus driver, is currently in good condition. Names and specific conditions of the victims are kept confidential for privacy concerns.
The cause of the drift is still unknown, but according to Truckee CHP Officer Dan Furtado, drugs and alcohol have been ruled out. At this point, the CHP is still unable to communicate with the driver, making the cause of the accident difficult to determine. According to Furtado, fatigue remains the leading suspicion, as it is one of the first considered in any kind of drift.
Once the investigation is complete, the case will move to the deputy attorney’s office for consideration of any charges to be pressed. At this point, the conclusion of the accident is simply an ‘unsafe turning movement,’ according to Furtado. Fortunately, the Resort’s insurance will cover a portion of the medical costs
Shortly after the accident, the Resort at Squaw creek donated funds to the family of Olivas and established the Hope Fund. Spearheaded by the Resort’s general manager Richard McLennan and the Squaw Creek Leadership Team, the Hope Fund has collected more than $24,000 from members of the community, including several thousand dollars from the resort and its employees, according to the Resort. The fund will contribute 100 percent of the donations to the affected families.
‘There has been a huge response from the community through phone calls, emails, letters and through donations,’ said Sapoznik. ‘The families have been extremely grateful for the assistance.’
Juan Carlos Franco, director of housekeeping at the Resort, arrived on the scene shortly after the accident. Fluent in Spanish, Franco was able to act as a translator between many of the victims and emergency personnel.
‘He was a real hero in the case, extraordinary in his leadership,’ said Sapoznik.
To participate in the Hope Fund, you can mail a check made out to Resort at Squaw Creek Hope Fund and mail to: Resort at Squaw Creek, c/o Resort at Squaw Creek Hope Fund, PO Box 3333, Olympic Valley, Calif. 96146.
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