Quincy, Washington – One Dead, Multiple Injured in Three-Vehicle Collision at White Trail Road

Quincy, Washington (December 13, 2019) – Update: One person died and multiple others sustained non-life-threatening injuries involving three vehicles on White Trail Road on Friday morning. The driver of the tour bus sustained severe injuries in the accident, and unfortunately died at the scene. He has been identified as Sidney Austin from Spokane. The rest of the injured numbered over 65 people, including students and the driver from the school bus, passengers and a tour guide from the tour bus, and driver of the third vehicle. The injured were taken to Quincy Hospital, where parents were also reunited with their children.

According to the preliminary investigation, the school bus was rear-ended by the passenger vehicle around 9 a.m. While the vehicle moved to the side of the road, the school bus stayed in the lane of travel as the kids were checked on. Shortly after this the school bus was rear-ended by the tour bus. The area was reported to be very foggy at the time of the collision, which is a factor in the collision. The crash caused White Trail Road to be closed between State Route 28 and State Route 281 while cleanup and investigation was ongoing.

About Vehicle Accidents

It is fortunate that no one was injured in this incident. School buses are among the most well-known means of transportation. From the American School Bus Council, an estimated 480,000 yellow school buses provide transportation daily in the United States, with a figure of 25 million elementary and secondary school children riding these buses. According to injury facts from the National Safety Council, school buses actually provide a the best means of safe transportation, and is much safer than the two alternatives, which is by walking or riding in a car. However, it does not mean accidents cannot happen. In 2017, school bus-related crashes were responsible for 95 deaths across the nation. According to the statistics, however, 70% of the deaths involved in the crashes were occupants in other cars, with 17% of the victims being pedestrians such as in this case. Only 6% of the victims were passengers of the school bus, 4% were school bus drivers and the smallest percentage of deaths was 3% with pedalcyclists. We can gather from these facts that school buses are generally safe for those passengers and drivers, and fatalities usually involve someone else on the street.

To make the streets safe for everyone, we urge all drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings and follow traffic regulations at all times. Aside from that, another way to ensure safety is to check that one’s vehicle is fit for the road. And in case of any incident, wearing seat belts can minimize any damage received. These simple steps can prevent any undesirable loss, damage, injuries or fatalities on yourself and for everyone else around you.

[cta]