1 killed in crash involving Metro bus on SR 169

MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — The driver of a car was killed in head-on crash with a Metro bus near Maple Valley Tuesday.

The crash occurred about 4 a.m. on State Route 169 slightly south of Jones Road.

Troopers said the car was heading north and the bus was heading south when the car may have swerved into the southbound lanes and hit the bus head-on.

See images of the crash here.

"According to the witness and the bus driver, it was just driving right along and there was just a sharp turn right into the bus," said Trooper Chris Webb.

Officers are not sure if the driver may have been impaired.

The speed limit on SR 169 is 50 mph, and the driver of the car was killed on impact.  No one but the bus driver was on the bus at the time of the crash, as the driver was just starting his route.

Despite severe head-on damage to the front of the bus, the driver  escaped with cuts and bruises.

Both directions of the highway were closed for five hours while troopers investigated.  The crash scene was cleared and all lanes were open by 9:50 a.m.

The victim is a 35-year-old Maple Valley man.

KIRO