MARCH 31, 2015 (REVISED APRIL 22, 2015)
RENTON, WASHINGTON
A 35-year-old Maple Valley man was killed when the car he
was driving plowed into a Kings County Metro bus near Maple Valley early
Tuesday, the Washington State Patrol reports.
State troopers responded to the scene, Highway 169 at Jones Road (between Maple Valley and Renton), just after 4 a.m. after receiving reports of a serious crash involving a car and bus.
Arriving there, they found a severely mangled car and a damaged King County Metro bus. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that the bus was heading north on Highway 169 when the car suddenly veered left into the bus from the opposite direction.
"According to witnesses, the bus driver was just driving along and all of a sudden there was a right turn into the bus," said Trooper Chris Webb.
A witness to this accident who was driving behind the car that hit the bus said he noticed it was weaving and was about to call 911 when he saw the impact.
Investigators are looking at all possibilities, including a medical condition, drowsy driving or distracted driving. They will check toxicology as well, to see if the driver of the car was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Webb says the bus was not carrying passengers at the time of the crash. The bus driver had minor injuries and needed help getting off the bus.
Highway 169 was closed in both directions for hours during the busy morning commute but has now reopened.
The identity of the deceased car driver was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
State troopers responded to the scene, Highway 169 at Jones Road (between Maple Valley and Renton), just after 4 a.m. after receiving reports of a serious crash involving a car and bus.
Arriving there, they found a severely mangled car and a damaged King County Metro bus. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that the bus was heading north on Highway 169 when the car suddenly veered left into the bus from the opposite direction.
"According to witnesses, the bus driver was just driving along and all of a sudden there was a right turn into the bus," said Trooper Chris Webb.
A witness to this accident who was driving behind the car that hit the bus said he noticed it was weaving and was about to call 911 when he saw the impact.
Investigators are looking at all possibilities, including a medical condition, drowsy driving or distracted driving. They will check toxicology as well, to see if the driver of the car was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Webb says the bus was not carrying passengers at the time of the crash. The bus driver had minor injuries and needed help getting off the bus.
Highway 169 was closed in both directions for hours during the busy morning commute but has now reopened.
The identity of the deceased car driver was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
All the evidence suggests that the dead driver was drunk or
on drugs or he fell asleep at the wheel.
His sister, Ms. Nichole Schultz, stated on April 22, 2015 that he fell
asleep at the wheel.
Source: www.komonews.com