Cleveland Police Car and RTA Bus Collide in Intersection

Dashcam and bus footage show the dramatic crash that left no one seriously injured

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a collision between emergency and public transit vehicles.The violent collision between a Cleveland police car and an RTA bus exposes the risks emergency responders and public transit operators face when navigating busy urban intersections.Cleveland Today

Newly released video footage shows the moment a Cleveland police car collided with an RTA bus at an intersection in January. The police car was responding to an emergency call with its siren and lights activated, while the bus driver said she was unable to stop due to icy road conditions. The crash is still under review by authorities to determine if it could have been prevented.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges and risks emergency responders and public transit drivers face when navigating busy urban intersections, especially in inclement weather. The review of this crash could lead to policy changes or safety improvements to help avoid similar collisions in the future.

The details

The dashcam video shows the police car entering the intersection at West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue with its siren blaring, while the RTA bus driver can be heard saying over the radio that she 'couldn't stop' due to the icy conditions and ended up hitting the police car. A report states the bus had a green light when it entered the intersection. Both drivers said they tried to avoid the crash, but were unable to do so.

  • The incident occurred in January 2026 at the intersection of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Nearly three months after the crash, the incident is still under review by Cleveland's Traffic Safety Analysis Panel and the police chief's office.

The players

Cleveland Police Department

The law enforcement agency whose patrol car was involved in the collision with the RTA bus.

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

The public transportation agency whose bus was involved in the crash with the Cleveland police car.

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What they’re saying

“'Radio, we just got hit by an RTA bus,'”

— Cleveland Police Officer

“'I was crossing the intersection and I couldn't stop,'”

— RTA Bus Driver

“'His sirens were running. I had that building on the corner. I didn't even see him.'”

— RTA Bus Driver

What’s next

The incident is still under review by Cleveland's Traffic Safety Analysis Panel and the police chief's office to determine if the crash could have been prevented.

The takeaway

This collision between a Cleveland police car and an RTA bus highlights the need for improved safety protocols and coordination between emergency responders and public transit operators, especially when navigating busy urban intersections during inclement weather conditions.