Ocosta School District bus #2 was traveling north on SR105 to pick up students Friday morning, May 15, when it was sideswiped on a sweeping corner by a 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The accident occurred near Mile Post 33 north of Bay City Sausage at approximately 7:10 a.m.
Bus driver Corey Criss stated he saw the oncoming truck drifting across the roadway, but despite moving over the fog line, he was unable to avoid the collision.
The male driver, a South Beach resident, stated that he had fallen asleep at the wheel. His truck struck the bus just behind the driver’s side front wheel, skidded down the length of the bus, before hitting the back tire, blowing it off, as well as destroying the left rear wheel.
Neither driver was injured in the accident.
According to Ocosta School District Transportation Supervisor, Andy Porter, an estimate for the bus repair costs was determined on Monday of this week. It will be transported to Fife for repairs and will be out of service for the remainder of the school year.
