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Saturday, January 25, 2014

Kirkland Runaway Bus Kills Ford Escape

2 dead, 1 recommended criminal charges, russian suspect: Monday May 6, 2013 Kirkland Runaway Bus Kills Ford Escape Kirkland, Washington USA. Bus driver Aleksandr Rukhlin (Russian first and surname) had driven for a year when his Community Transit bus and claimed (actually lied) he lost all brakes as he exited the freeway, ran a red light and slammed into the side of a small Ford Escape SUV, killing 2 of 3 occupants. On May 15, 2014, State Patrol established that the driver of the bus was at fault and recommended filing criminal charges of two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of vehicular assault and one count of hit-and-run with death. No media have speculated on terrorism as a possible motive. The bus did not stop until a half mile away. Driver testing showed no drugs or alcohol and inspections found no problems, with experts saying buses have fail safe systems to prevent any such brake failure. The driver was put on paid administrative leave, and was unwilling to speak to the press. Several passengers said they believed his story. On May 15, 2014, the Washingon State Patrol established that the driver of the bus was at fault and recommended criminal charges against the driver. No media have speculated on terrorism as a possible motive. In December, the King County Prosecutor's Office announced that the Bus driver won't face criminal charges saying his driving was “certainly negligent,” but the state could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he “consciously disregarded a dangerous situation.

Similar cases: No one has speculated the incident might be a deliberate crash as was this incident the same month: May 24, 2013 Saginaw, Michigan USA. City bus hits minivan, hits 2 houses. One house has to be demolished, van driver has to be cut out of overturned vehicle. No cause established for the accident.

NY Doubledeck bus driver says he was not DUI, brakes failed  Dalambert failed a field sobriety test, which he said included walking a straight line and touching his finger to his nose, and was handcuffed, booked, and spent the night in a jail cell. But he was released when tests showed there were no drugs or alcohol. The driver has no active points, but “20 administrative suspensions dating back to June, 1993 that began with problems with his vehicle insurance.” including driving while using a cell phone and driving without a license/registration/insurance Dalambert said the brakes failed, but the brakes were working at the time of the crash, CBS 2 reported earlier

Sources


Prosecutor: Bus driver in fatal Kirkland wreck likely just hit the wrong pedal Seattle PI Dec 30, 2014 - Following an intensive investigation, investigators did not find sufficient evidence to support vehicular homicide charges against bus driver  the bus continued toward Interstate 405, Rukhlin told one passenger that he “has no brakes.” Investigators determined there was no mechanical issue with the bus or the brakes, according to the prosecutor’s office statement, and investigators determined Rukhlin hit the accelerator before and after the crash. Investigators reviewing blood tests found no evidence indicating Rukhlin was impaired by drugs or alcoho To prove convict Rukhlin, prosecutors would essentially have to prove he intentionally ran the red light – driver error is not a basis for a vehicular homicide charge – or consciously ignored a dangerous situation.

Bus driver won't be charged in fatal Kirkland crash | The Seattle Times
https://www.seattletimes.com/.../bus-driver-wonrsquot-be-charged-in-fatal-kirkland-cras...Dec 30, 2014 - A Sound Transit bus driver who caused a collision that killed two people in Kirkland in May 2013 won't face criminal charges, the King County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday.  Prosecutor’s Office said Rukhlin’s driving was “certainly negligent,” but the state could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he “consciously disregarded a dangerous situation.” A review suggested he accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake, but the reasons for his driving through a red light remain uncertain, the Prosecutor’s Office said, and there is no evidence he deliberately attempted to run the light.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2330623/Bus-hits-homes-tree-Michigan.html Dailymail covers it international
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/05/update_bus_crashes_with_van_2.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/05/stars_issues_statement_on_bus.html
http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/inspections-show-bus-involved-fatal-crash-had-no-m/nXm7K/
http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/bus-riders-recount-fatal-crash/nXkLk/
'Runaway' Sound Transit bus kills 2 in I-405 crash in Kirkland | Local ...

5/16/2014

Sound Transit driver may be charged in fatal crash - News ...
www.metro-magazine.com/.../sound-transit-driver-may-...
Metro Magazine   the King County Prosecutor's Office file charges against a Sound Transit bus driver ... that killed two people in Kirkland on May 6, 2013, The Seattle Times reported. ... after the collision that he pushed on the brake, but “couldn't stop thebus.

State Patrol: Bus Driver At Fault For Fatal Crash « CBS Seattle
seattle.cbslocal.com/2014/.../state-patrol-bus-driver-at-fault-for-fatal-cras...
A Sound Transit bus driver is at fault for a crash that killed two people in Kirkland last year, the Washington State Patrol said ...faulted Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54, who investigators said ran a red light as he exited Interstate 405. ..the bus hit an SUV carrying three people. The agency is recommending criminal charges against the driver.

Sound Transit Bus Driver May Face Charges in 2013 Fatal ...
www.masstransitmag.com/.../sound-transit-bus-dri...
Mass Transit Magazine
22 hours ago - WA: Sound Transit Bus Driver May Face Charges in 2013 Fatal Crash ... to stop for a red light, causing a May 6, 2013, collision that killed two people inKirkland. ... the crash, there was a complaint that the bus pulled to the right whilebraking.






5/15/2014





















Bus driver in fatal Kirkland crash could face charges | KING5 ...


www.king5.com/news/.../Charges-recommend-259277061.ht...









KING‑TV


17 hours ago - The Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team is recommending the King County Prosecutor file vehicular homicide charges ...


























Bus driver may face vehicular homicide charges in ... - Kiro TV


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KIRO‑TV


15 hours ago - A Sound Transit bus driver who authorities say is responsible for acrash that killed a couple in Kirkland last year could be charged with ...


























Sound Transit bus driver may face charges in 2013 fatal crash


seattletimes.com/.../2023610514_buscrashchallengexm...









The Seattle Times


11 hours ago - The State Patrol is suggesting a Sound Transit bus driver be ... for a red light and causing a crash that killed two people in Kirkland last year.


























Vehicular homicide charges recommended against bus ...


mynorthwest.com/.../Vehicular-homicide-charges-recommend...









KIRO‑FM


Vehicular homicide charges recommended against bus driver in fatal Kirkland crash. BY Tim Haeck on May 14, 2014 @ 10:43 am (Updated: 12:23 pm - 5/14/14 ).


























Washington State Patrol completes double fatality ...


www.kirklandreporter.com/news/259310651.html









Kirkland Reporter


13 hours ago - The crash killed Robert Rotta and Elizabeth Rotta of Bellevue. ... stop for a red light triggered a May 6, 2013, collision that killed two people in Kirkland. ... Passengers on the bus reported yelling at the driver to stop the bus, but ...


























Bus driver in fatal Kirkland crash could face charges


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8 hours ago - The Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team is recommending the King County Prosecutor file vehicular homicide charges ...


























Troopers: Sound Transit bus driver at fault for fatal Kirkland ...


www.therepublic.com/view/story/.../WA--I-405-Bus-Accid...









The Republic


13 hours ago - SEATTLE — A Sound Transit bus driver is at fault for a crash that killed two people in Kirkland last year, the Washington State Patrol said ...


























State Patrol urges vehicular homicide charges against bus ...


q13fox.com/.../wsp-recommends-homicide-charges-in-fatal-sound...









KCPQ


9 hours ago - KIRKLAND -- Robert and Elizabeth Rotta were enjoying their golden years ... He helped the driver slow the bus after the crash and was the first ...


























Troopers: Bus driver at fault for fatal crash - Washington Times


www.washingtontimes.com/.../troopers-bus-drive...









The Washington Times


by Andrew P. Napolitano - in 4,584 Google+ circles

11 hours ago - A Sound Transit bus driver is at fault for a crash that killed two people in Kirkland last year, the Washington State Patrol said Wednesday.






































5/15/2014





www.komonews.com/.../One-killed-in-Sound-Transit-bus-crash-in-Kirkl...‎26// May 6, 2013 – The driver of a Sound Transit bus says the brakes failed and he was ... Thanks also to all of the Fire, EMS, Hwy Patrol and Sound Transit ... The bus driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54, of Everett, was not injured. He said he was unable to stop sooner because of brake failure, Judson said. The bus is being inspected for brake or other mechanical problems. The bus broadsided the westbound 2010 Ford Escape on the passenger side. e first fatal Sound Transit bus accident since the service began in 1999

instead of being sympathetic."


Community Transit says the bus involved in the accident will be inspected Thursday. In the meantime, they say riders have no reason to feel unsafe.


As riders piled on the 535 Tuesday, they said they'd pay attention to the investigation. Jacquelynn Loos didn't hesitate to board, but she also said she was had some trepidations "because if the brakes failed it should have been noticed beforehand."






'Runaway' Sound Transit bus kills 2 in crash on I-405 in Kirkland ...


projects.registerguard.com/apf/wash/wa-i-405-bus-accident/‎




May 7, 2013 – SEATTLE — The driver of a Sound Transit bus says the brakes failed and ... The bus driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54, of Everett, was not injured.

Inspections show bus involved in fatal crash had no major... | www ...


www.kirotv.com › News




May 9, 2013 – Sound Transit released maintenance records for the Community Transit... We asked Sound Transit if the driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, would have ...

By source - Search Results - Local Search


search.nwsource.com/search?year=2012-future&from=ST...‎




The Sound Transit bus in Monday night...maintenance log released by Sound TransitThursday. During a...Aleksander Rukhlin of Everett, told troopers ...

2012 (4979) - Search Results - Local Search


search.nwsource.com/search?year=2012-future&from=stnv2...‎




The Sound Transit bus in Monday night...maintenance log released by Sound TransitThursday. During a...Aleksander Rukhlin of Everett, told troopers ...

seattletimes.com - Search Results - Local Search


search.nwsource.com/search?source=ST&from=ST&searchtype...‎




...night when a Sound Transit bus struck their...aboard the bus, a Route 535 running from...Rukhlin, 54, of Everett, showed no signs...Julie Judson. Sound Transit ...

'Runaway' Sound Transit bus kills 2 in I-405 crash in Kirkland | Local ...


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www.komonews.com/.../One-killed-in-Sound-Trans...‎



May 7, 2013


The driver of a Sound Transit bus says the brakes failed and he was ... The bus driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54 ...


More videos for Rukhlin sound transit »

Two killed in Kirkland bus crash; Sound Transit driver claims brake ...


mynorthwest.com/.../Two-killed-in-Kirkland-bus-crash-Sound-Transit-dr...‎




May 7, 2013 – The Washington State Patrol says a Sound Transit bus plowed into an SUV ... Rukhlin is on paid administration leave pending the results of the ...

Family is reeling from loss of parents | Local News | The Seattle Times


seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020941273_suvparentsxml.html‎




May 7, 2013 – Rukhlin was questioned Monday night by supervisors and is now on paid administrative leave. Sound Transit says the agency doesn't yet know ...

Robert and Elizabeth Rotta Killed in Seattle, WA Bus Accident ...


www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net/.../robert-and-elizabeth-rotta-kille...‎




May 8, 2013 – Bus driver Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54, claimed that he was unable to brake the Sound Transit bus as it approached a red light at 128th Street and ...



29// http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/inspections-show-bus-involved-fatal-crash-had-no-m/nXm7K/





Thursday, May 9, 2013
Inspections show bus involved in fatal crash had no major mechanical problems


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Bus, SUV in Kirkland fatal crash
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By David Ham
KIRKLAND, Wash. —
Sound Transit released maintenance records for the Community Transit bus that crashed into an SUV and killed two people on Monday.
The records show that there were seven minor defects found with the bus that included an oil leak when it went for a routine inspection on May 1. All the minor defects were fixed before the crash.
The driver told state troopers his brakes failed.
"The most recent preventative maintenance on this bus, everything checked out, the brakes checked out and there was some minor regular routine maintenance that was, so we're not going to know until the state police finish their investigation," said Bruce Gray.
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News also looked through all of the maintenance records since the bus went into service in 2008.
In April 2011, the bus was taken out of service when the parking brake failed. But there have been no major braking issues since.
KIRO 7 spoke to instructors at Commercial Driver School in Lakewood who said air brakes like the ones used in the Community Transit bus have fail safes to make sure that a bus can come to a stop when needed.
"It would have automatically done it and the brakes would have locked and stopped the bus," said Pam Paulin of Commercial Driver School. She was a commercial bus driver for 18 years.
We asked Sound Transit if the driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, would have known how to use the emergency brake.
"I can't really speak to that. I don’t know if it's a specific training to go through," said Bruce Gray of Sound Transit.
He also did not speculate if the driver was at fault in any way in this crash.
Gray said that Community Transit drivers must complete at least 172 hours of training in and outside the classroom before they start.
Troopers don't think drugs or alcohol were factors in this investigation.
Washington State Patrol estimated it will take two weeks to get a search warrant, which is required by state law, to get a look at the inside of the bus.
Troopers estimated the whole investigation will take up to six months to wrap up.
Rukhlin wouldn't talk about the crash when KIRO 7 went to his house on Wednesday.
Family members said they will release a statement at a later time, but would not go into any other detail.
25//

'Runaway' Sound Transit bus kills 2 in I-405 crash in Kirkland

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SEATTLE (AP) - The driver of a Sound Transit bus says the brakes failed and he was unable to avoid hitting a car Monday night on an Interstate 405 transit ramp, killing two people.

The bus continued about a half-mile before it came to a stop in the high-occupancy vehicle lane, said Washington State Patrol Trooper Julie Judson.

Witnesses said the northbound bus ran a red light at the intersection on the ramp at the Totem Lake freeway station, Judson said. The bus broadsided the westbound 2010 Ford Escape on the passenger side.

The impact killed a Bellevue couple who were passengers in the SUV. Robert Rotta, 76, died at the scene, and Elizabeth Rotta, 75, later died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the patrol said.

The driver, believed to be their son, Kendall Rotta, 51, of Kirkland, also was taken to Harborview Medical Center. He was reported in satisfactory condition Tuesday, said spokeswoman Susan Gregg.

The Route 535 bus, headed from Bellevue to Lynnwood at 9:30 p.m. Monday, carried 35 passengers. One was treated at nearby Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and several had minor injuries, Judson said.
*
Elizabeth and Robert Rotta
The bus driver, Aleksandr Rukhlin, 54, of Everett, was not injured. He said he was unable to stop sooner because of brake failure, Judson said.

Rukhlin cooperated with investigators. He was evaluated by a drug expert and did not appear to be impaired, she said. He voluntarily gave a blood sample for an alcohol test.

The bus is being inspected for brake or other mechanical problems. The crash is being reconstructed to determine if the bus was speeding and whether the driver was at fault.

It was the first fatal Sound Transit bus accident since the service began in 1999, said spokesman Bruce Gray. The agency is cooperating with the State Patrol, he said.

The situation is complicated because Sound Transit service in Snohomish County is contracted with Community Transit. And Community Transit contracts with the company First Transit for drivers, said spokesman Martin Munguia.

Community Transit is conducting an internal investigation, he said. The 5-year-old bus is fairly new and had routine maintenance and inspections, Munguia said. The driver is on paid leave for the investigation, which includes the agency's own drug and alcohol tests.



Kirkland Runaway Bus Kills Ford Escape Ninjapundit Crime
http://ninjapundit.blogspot.com/2014/01/kirkland-runaway-bus-kills-ford-escape.html

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