A car ran a red light and struck a Metro Transit bus Thursday morning at a south Minneapolis intersection, sending the bus crashing into a tree and leaving three people injured, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on a Route 17 bus heading west on 24th Street at Blaisdell Avenue, said Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland.

The car "ran a red light and struck the bus near the back door," Siqveland said. The impact sent the bus into a tree, he added.

Two bus passengers and the car's driver were hospitalized with unspecified injuries. Siqveland said they were "all conscious and breathing" at the scene.

The other bus passengers either waited for the next bus on the line to resume their travels or boarded a replacement bus.

Transit police cited the car's driver for running the light.

Dml -, Star Tribune
An MTC bus ended up on the boulevard/sidewalk on 24th street after it was hit by a car at the intersection of Blaisdell Ave. and 24th St. Thursday morning, March 20, 2014.

As is standard, the bus driver will undergo drug and alcohol testing.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482