ATWATER, Calif. (AP) — Authorities were working Wednesday to find out why a bus suddenly veered sharply off a central California highway, smashing into a pole that sliced the vehicle nearly in half, killing five people. Eighteen people were injured Tuesday, but none of the victims were in critical condition by day's end. One passenger says it appeared the bus driver was trying to pass another vehicle moments before the crash, but it would not let him merge.