ORONDO, Wash. (AP) – A truck driver apparently fell asleep Thursday before his vehicle crossed the center line of a rural Washington highway and collided with a car and a school bus, killing the car driver and sending dozens of students to the hospital for evaluation, the Washington State Patrol said.
“We do suspect the driver fell asleep,” Trooper Darren Wright said.
Just over a year ago, the driver of the large box truck, identified as Kenneth Hahn, 54, of Yakima, was cited for crossing the center line in an injury collision in the same area, the State Patrol said.
Authorities said the car driver, Carmela Cuellar Morales, 22, of Orondo, died at the scene. A 12-year-old female passenger in her car was injured and taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Hospital spokeswoman Steph Grubich said the child was treated and released.
Forty-three students taken to the hospital after the bus crashed were sent home after evaluation and treatment if needed, authorities said.