By Lookout Staff

June 2, 2025 -- A Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (BBB) critically injured an elderly pedestrian Friday morning near the eastern end of Pico Boulevard, police officials said.

At approximately 8:18 a.m., the Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a Big Blue Bus near the 2900 block of Pico Boulevard, officials said.

The bus was traveling eastbound on Pico when it struck the elderly woman in the roadway, according to a preliminary investigation.

The pedestrian, who police believe is a resident of the area, was transported to a local hospital "with critical injuries," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesperson.

"The bus operator remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation," Gilmour said.

"Impairment is not suspected and has been ruled out,"he said.

SMPD’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team (MART) arrived on the scene and began investigating the incident.

Eastbound Pico Boulevard was closed between Dorchester and Stewart streets as the scene was processed, police said.

"The accident comes as the number of Fatal and Severe Injury (FSI) crashes in Santa Monica soared in 2024, marking the fourth straight year the numbers have risen ("Crashes Resulting in Severe Injuries, Deaths Soar," February 14, 2025).

Of the 60 FSI crashes last year, 21 involved pedestrians, 9 involved bicyclists and 4 involved scooters, according to from data from the City's Transportation Department. The other 26 involved only cars.

Five of the crashes were fatal, with three involving a pedestrian and two a bicyclist.