Bus carrying UW band members crashes near George

GEORGE — A chartered bus full of University of Washington band members and staff were spared of serious injuries on Thanksgiving after the bus they were on rolled on Interstate 90 near George.

The 2007 bus was driven by Nancy Aguilar, 36, of Sammamish. It was occupied by 52 people and was part of a caravan of six buses chartered by UW. The passengers were on their way to Pullman for Friday’s Apple Cup game against Washington State University.

The bus was in the right lane of eastbound Interstate 90, about seven miles west of George, when Aguilar reportedly lost control and struck the ditch on the right shoulder about 5:26 p.m. The bus rolled and came to a rest on its passenger side blocking South Frontage Road, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Responders from Grant County Fire Districts 3, 8, 10 and 11, the Ephrata Fire Department, Protection One Ambulance, American Medical Response, the WSP and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office were among the local agencies that responded to the crash. Aguilar and 39 occupants were transported to regional hospitals for treatment of non-serious injuries.

Occupants on the bus who were not transported to a hospital were taken to George Elementary School and were checked out by medics as a precaution. Later in the evening those at George Elementary School were transported to Moses Lake, where they were put up in various hotels for the night. As news started to spread about the crash several Columbia Basin residents stepped up to help.

“Tremendous outpouring of support from the George and Quincy communities. Lots of Thanksgiving meals and other food rushed in by caring citizens,” stated the GCSO.

Aguilar, who was injured and transported to Quincy Valley Medical Center, was cited by the WSP for driving too fast for conditions.

The decision was made on Friday that the marching band would not continue its trip to Pullman.

“The Husky Marching Band is like a family, and we do everything together. With that in mind, the band will not attend the 2018 Apple Cup game in respect and consideration of the recovery our students and staff need following our bus accident (Thursday) night,” UW Director of Athletic Bands Brad McDavid said.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at rbyrd@columbiabasinherald.com.