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Man faces life-threatening injuries after rear-ending RTS bus

For the second time within a week, a car crashed into an RTS bus on Northwest 39th Avenue.

A 74-year-old man driving a pickup truck rear-ended a Regional Transit System bus heading west on Northwest 39th Avenue near 21st Street on Wednesday morning.

RTS spokesman Chip Skinner said at about 8:45 a.m. the bus was stopped to drop a passenger off when the truck drove into the bus at about 45 to 50 miles per hour.

The pickup truck driver was hospitalized and is currently in surgery, as he is facing life-threatening injuries, Skinner said.

Skinner said the three RTS passengers were not injured, but the bus operator was "shaken up" and taken for evaluation at UF&Shands.

More information on the crash will be released Thursday, said a representative from the Gainesville Police Department.

"It really boils down to people being aware of their surroundings," Skinner said.

Last week, a car heading toward the intersection of NW 39th Avenue and NW 43rd Street failed to stop before hitting a car stopped at the light. The totaled car then slammed into the back of an RTS Route 43 bus. Several passengers reported injuries.

Jewel is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.