Seattle Bus Crash: 11 Hospitalized as Sound Transit Hits Barrier

TL/DR –

A Sound Transit bus crashed into a retaining wall in downtown Seattle, injuring 11 people, with a 54-year-old man in critical condition. The collision, which happened near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Terrace Street, caused all directions of traffic to be temporarily shut down. The driver, who claimed his brakes failed, was evaluated by a drug recognition expert as part of the response to the incident.

Sound Transit Bus Crashes in Downtown Seattle, 11 Hospitalized

A Sound Transit bus crashed into a retaining wall in downtown Seattle on Saturday evening, leading to 11 people being hospitalized, states the Seattle Fire Department.

One of the victims, a 54-year-old man, is in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center. The other victims, all adults, are reported to be in stable condition.

The accident occurred just before 7 p.m. outside an office building at 300 Fifth Ave., near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Terrace Street. Seattle City Light was at the scene to repair electrical lines powering street lights, and traffic was halted in all directions.

Seattle police spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz revealed that the bus driver reported brake failure as the cause of the crash. “The driver initially stated his brakes failed and he swerved into the barrier,” Muñoz said.

The driver underwent evaluation by a drug recognition expert from the Police Department as a precautionary measure.

Please note, previous reports inaccurately stated that a King County Metro bus was involved in the accident.

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