Sound Transit bus video shows crash that killed Kirkland couple

KIRKLAND, Wash. — KIRO 7 obtained video from a Sound Transit bus that crashed into an SUV last year in Kirkland, killing a couple in their 70s.

After the bus hit the SUV near Evergreen Hospital, the bus driver kept going. He later told police the brakes had failed.

The Washington State Patrol is recommending the bus driver be charged with vehicular homicide.

The video shows the impact from a few different angles.

Though the video is choppy, the panic after the collision is clear.

On the audio, a passenger is heard telling the driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, he should stop after the crash.

Rukhlin said he can't -- he has no brakes.

The bus eventually slowed to a stop more than a minute after the crash.  The State Patrol tested the bus and didn't find any problems.

The video revealed Rukhlin never made an attempt to stop, even though the light he ran was clearly red.

Robert and Elizabeth Rotta were killed in the crash. They were in the SUV driven by their son.

The victims’ family has sued the driver and Sound Transit.

The State Patrol, which investigated the crash, forwarded the case to prosecutors and recommended the bus driver be charged with vehicular homicide, assault and hit-and-run.

There has been no comment from Rukhlin, Sound Transit or the victim's family.

Previous stories:

Two dead, others injured in possible runaway bus crash (May 7, 2013)

WSP: Brakes were not an issue in Kirkland bus crash (June 13, 2013)

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