Police: 11 hurt when stolen van crashes into Votran bus

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Eleven people were injured after a stolen van crashed into a bus in Daytona Beach, police say.

The van crashed into a Votran bus at Orange Avenue and Lincoln Street.  Among those injured were the driver of the bus, a pregnant passenger, and a child, according to authorities.  Nine bus passengers and one pedestrian were taken to the hospital.  Their injuries were not life-threatening.

Before the crash, officers spotted the van at Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. and Martin Luther King. During a brief pursuit, they lost track of the vehicle.  Seconds later, they say a crash was reported.

Authorities said Robert Carbonell, 57, was driving the van and was accompanied by passenger Alexander Ross, 48.

"They were just driving recklessly," explained Sgt. Kelsey Harris, with the Daytona Beach Police Department. "There was no officer within blocks of them. When our officers lost the vehicle around MLK and International Speedway Blvd., they continued driving recklessly."

Ross wast thrown from the van during the crash.  He was sent the hospital before getting arrested.

"He fell between the van and the Votran bus onto the ground," Harris said.

Carbonell fled but was taken into custody a short while later.  Police say both men face drug charges, along with charges related to the stolen van and the crash.

A gas line was also reportedly struck during the crash. TECO Gas responded to the scene for repairs.