Motorcyclist in fatal crash with bus ran light, police say

A motorcyclist killed in a collision with a Spokane Transit Authority bus on Friday afternoon ran a red light, Spokane police said Tuesday.

The name of the man who died at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Crestline Street around 1:30 p.m. had not been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office by late Tuesday.

The collision shattered the front window of the bus, which had entered the intersection on a yellow light, police said after reviewing video of the collision captured on the bus.

“Based on the video footage, it appears the motorcyclist was still east of the intersection when the light turned red and entered the intersection after the light had clearly been red for westbound traffic,” Spokane police said in a news release. Investigators did not say whether the bus used its turn signal prior to the collision.

Susan Meyer, STA’s chief executive officer, thanked first responders in a prepared statement Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased,” Meyer said in the statement. STA believes this is the first fatal crash involving one of its buses, according to its news release.

There are turning lanes at the intersection of Euclid and Crestline, but no turn signals on the traffic light. Sgt. Mike Carr of the Spokane Police Department said at the scene Friday it was unclear from witness statements whether the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the collision.

Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the crash who has not spoken with police to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.