Man hit by Santa Rosa bus improving

A man who suffered major injuries when he was struck last week by a Santa Rosa city bus was in stable condition late Sunday, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital reported.

Billy Arial, 47, was hospitalized with open fractures to his arm and leg, fire officials said, and had been in critical condition.

Arial had spoken to the bus driver moments before the 5:37 p.m. Thursday incident on Sonoma Avenue near Montgomery Village Shopping Center, Santa Rosa police said.

The bus then pulled away from the bus stop in a westbound lane between Farmers Lane and Hahman Drive, fire officials said.

Investigators late last week were trying to determine how Arial ended up under the bus near a rear tire and whether he was intoxicated at the time, police said.

Arial's city of residence was unknown.