Transit bus and car collided in Moses Lake

Five transported for injuries

MOSES LAKE - A Grant Transit Authority bus carrying passengers and a Ford Taurus collided at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Ash Street in Moses Lake Wednesday afternoon.

An elderly woman driving the Ford Taurus reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign posted on Ash Street, Moses Lake police Sgt. Paul Harder said.

The woman was transported to Samaritan Healthcare, Moses Lake firefighter Paul Guerin said. Four people riding the bus were also transported to the medical center.

From the initial contact, it appears all five people had minor injuries, he said.

Shuntay Howard, 23, of Moses Lake, was riding the bus when it collided with the car. When the impact happened, she wasn't sure what occurred but saw the bus driver struggling to maintain control of the bus before it was parked near a sidewalk on Fourth Avenue after the collision.

She said she bounced from her seat and several others hit the floor. Howard said there were at least nine people on the bus.

When the bus was stopped, everyone stayed on board. People who did not think they required medical attention were eventually let off the bus, she said.

Moses Lake Fire Department paramedics placed neck braces on those who appeared injured and they were removed from the bus on stretchers.

The woman driving the Ford Taurus was removed from the car on a stretcher. A bystander helped keep the driver's side door pried open while paramedics removed her from the car.

The bus sustained damage to the front driver's side and windshield. The car sustained damage to the front passenger side.

Moses Lake police provided traffic control at the partially blocked intersection. Vehicle fluids and parts were strung throughout the roadway.

Bus passengers were able to board another bus near the collision site. The bus route was temporarily delayed, according to the Grant Transit Authority.

Routes will not be affected further due to the collision because there are backup buses available.