It was just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday when 28‑year‑old Chibeza Nyirenda Jr. stepped from a curb in downtown Riverside, California and into tragedy. He was struck by a southbound bus operated by the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 12th Street, and succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
According to law enforcement, the bus had paused briefly to pick up—or drop off—passengers and was resuming motion when Nyirenda reportedly stepped directly in front of it. The driver immediately stopped and called emergency services.
First responders from the Riverside Fire Department arrived within minutes and found Nyirenda unconscious with life‑threatening injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but the effort was unsuccessful—he passed away there.
In the aftermath, Chicago Avenue south of downtown was temporarily shut down as police with the Riverside Police Department and its Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) documented the scene. Investigators say they are reviewing surveillance cameras, bus telemetry, and driver statements to piece together what went wrong.
Early details from the police statement emphasise that the pedestrian entered the street in front of the bus—not that the bus was speeding or visibly at fault. Investigators are still exploring factors like weather, visibility, and pedestrian actions to determine the full picture.
As the community reels from the sudden loss of a local resident, officials are reminding both pedestrians and drivers about the fragility of life on our busy roadways. In moments of distraction, our routine just becomes more dangerous than we realise.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant video evidence is asked to contact the MAIT detectives at (951) 826‑8722. Tonight, the downtown stretch at Chicago and 12th remains marked by emergency tape and caution in memory of a life cut far too short.
