Vehicular homicide charges possible in fatal Kirkland bus crash

Investigators have no good explanation for the fatal crash involving a Sound Transit coach last year in Kirkland that killed two people. The King County Prosecuting Attorney is considering charges of vehicular homicide against the bus driver.

The bus driver was exiting northbound I-405 to the Totem Lake Transit Center on May 5, 2013 at about 9:30 p.m. and said his brakes failed. Bus passengers shouted as the speeding coach approached the intersection. The bus raced through a red light at N.E. 128th and plowed into an SUV, killing two passengers. The crash killed Robert Rotta, 76, and his wife, Elizabeth, 75. Their son, who was driving the SUV, and had a green light, was injured.

State Patrol Lt. Shane Nelson said a test of the bus found no mechanical problems and the driver tested negative for drugs and alcohol. He was a Community Transit employee driving the Sound Transit bus on a contract with the regional transit agency. The official State Patrol report blames the crash on inattention. The driver reportedly has 20 years experience driving large trucks and buses. He remains on unpaid leave from First Transit, which contracts to provide drivers to Community Transit and Sound Transit.

After the collision, the bus continued through the intersection and on to the northbound ramp to I-405. Bus passengers helped bring the bus to a stop 3,900 feet from the intersection, according to Lt. Nelson.

State Patrol Investigators have forwarded the case to the county prosecutor, recommending charges of vehicular homicide, two counts, and vehicular assault. A spokesman in the prosecutor’s office said a formal charging decision could take a couple of weeks.