TMZ and CNN are reporting that several of Martin Luther King Jr.'s siblings and grandchildren were in a vehicle accident when the driver of their charter bus hit the brakes to avoid striking a van that had run a red light. The incident occurred as the family finished observing the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and King's enduring "I Have a Dream" speech.
From TMZ:
According to sources on the scene … several of MLK Jr.'s siblings and grandchildren were on a charter bus leaving the rally when a van ran a red light … forcing the bus driver to slam on the brakes to dodge the vehicle.
MLK's sister — Christine King Farris — was on the bus at the time of the accident. Earlier in the day, the 85-year-old placed a wreath on the MLK Jr. Memorial.
Farris was joined at the wreath ceremony by MLK's daughter Bernice King.
We're told Bernice was not on the bus at the time of the accident.
From CNN:
The bus and a car collided near Washington's Tidal Basin just off the National Mall where the ceremony was held, according to Park Police, who have jurisdiction over the Mall.
They said a person in the car was injured and taken to a hospital but did not provide information on injuries to bus passengers.