Sound Transit driver may be charged in fatal crash
The Washington State Patrol is requesting that the King County Prosecutor’s Office file two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of hit and run against driver Aleksandr Rukhlin who failed to stop at a red light and caused a collision that killed two people.
SEATTLE — The Washington State Patrol is requesting that the King County Prosecutor’s Office file charges against a Sound Transit bus driver who did not stop at a red light and caused a collision that killed two people in Kirkland on May 6, 2013, The Seattle Times reported.
The State Patrol told the newspaper that the prosecutor is being asked to consider filing two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of hit and run against driver Aleksandr Rukhlin.
An investigation showed that Rukhlin slowed from the highway speed of 60 mph to approximately 45 mph as the bus exited the highway. He did not noticeably slow down as he traveled up the exit ramp before entering the intersection and striking the SUV at approximately 45 mph, according to the report.
Rukhlin said in a phone interview with the newspaper one month after the collision that he pushed on the brake, but “couldn’t stop the bus.” For the full story, click here.
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