On Sunday, February 9, a car collided head-on with a charter bus in Douglas County, Washington. This resulted in the deaths of two 17-year-olds, a girl and a boy, the charter bus driver, and one of the bus's passengers. Seven others were injured as a result of the collision.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to a news release obtained by PEOPLE, the incident took place at around 1:30 p.m. local time at State Route 28. The car was driven by the female 17-year-old, who remains unnamed. Reportedly, the teen, driving a 2007 Toyota Camry, attempted to pass another car, according to KIRO. The maneuver failed as the teen driver collided with the charter bus head-on. The bus was carrying 20 passengers at the time.
"After the initial collision, a third vehicle was struck, driven by a 29-year-old female of Cashmere, Wash.," the news release issued by the Washington State Patrol reads. "A total of 4 individuals lost their lives and many were injured. State Route 28 was closed for approximately 10 hours while District 6 WSP investigated the collision."
Following the initial collision, the charter bus landed in a ditch. As a result of the collision, the 17-year-old driver, the male 17-year-old passenger, and the charter bus driver were killed. Eight more people were rushed to a local hospital, according to KING. Unfortunately, one of the injured succumbed to their injuries. There is no information regarding the condition of the injured.
Crash Details
Reportedly, passengers aboard the charter bus had an age range of 18 to 84, according to KIRO. Most notably, the third car that was hit as a result of the initial collision had two children aboard. A six-year-old and an eight-year-old were in the backseat. Fortunately, neither one of them was injured.
Northwestern Stage Lines, who operated the charter bus, issued a statement, shared with KIRO.
"As we have been cooperating fully with authorities during the investigation of the incident, we have learned that an unknown vehicle attempted an unsafe pass while traveling at an excessive speed," the statement reads. "Sadly, our talented and dedicated driver was among the fatalities, as well as the 2 individuals in the car."
The crash is currently under investigation by the District 6 Criminal Investigation Unit and the WSP Major Accident Investigation Team, according to the Washington State Patrol.
