Amelia Montoya Obituary, Death: Second victim identified in Highway 28 bus crash.
Amelia Montoya Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified a second victim in the fatal charter bus crash that occurred Sunday on Highway 28.
Amelia Montoya, an 83-year-old resident of Spokane Valley, was named on Thursday as one of the passengers aboard the eastbound Northwestern Stagelines bus. The accident happened near milepost 11 around 1:30 p.m. when the bus was hit by a Toyota Camry traveling in the opposite direction. Montoya was transported to Confluence Health Hospital in Wenatchee, where she was later pronounced dead.
The crash also claimed the life of the bus driver, 66-year-old Michael W. Meacham of Spokane, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, two 17-year-olds from East Wenatchee, who were in the Camry, also died in the collision. Authorities have not yet released their names.
According to the Washington State Patrol, preliminary findings suggest that the crash occurred when the Camry’s driver, a 17-year-old female, veered into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision with the bus. However, the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including potential factors that may have contributed to the Camry crossing into the opposing lane. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
