SUV driver dies after crashing into MBTA bus in Saugus

SAUGUS, Mass. — With one person dead and several injured, an investigation into a crash with an SUV and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus in Saugus was launched Monday.

The violent crash was reported Sunday afternoon in the area of Essex and Felton streets. A Ford SUV crashed head-on into the MBTA bus shortly before 4 p.m., Transit Police said.

The woman who later died from her injuries was identified Monday as Kathleen Callahan, 47.

MORE: 6 people injured after SUV crashes into MBTA bus in Saugus

“I was in my yard washing my car and all of a sudden I heard a ‘boom,’” Leonard Fauci said.

Fauci lives nearby. He said he ran over as soon as he heard the crash.

“I thought (s)he ran over plastic,” he said. “But when I ran out, I saw the other car. We ran over to see if there were any children in the car. She was unconscious and not moving at all.”

MBTA Transit Police said the crash seriously injured Callahan, who was driving the SUV, while the bus driver and four passengers received minor injuries.

Transit police, Massachusetts State Police and Saugus police spent hours reconstructing the crash, and said they believe the SUV hit a parked car before veering into the bus’ path, forcing it into a tree.

“The front of the bus hit a tree,” Fauci said. All the bark was taken off. It wasn’t like a horn blowing and then a bang. It was like, boom. I said, ‘Oh my God.’”

Fauci said there have been several accidents on his street over the years, so many that he's had to replace his fence because of the crashes.

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