1 dead after car hits school bus, closes SR-161 near Graham

A crash involving a school bus and a car shut down both directions of state Route 161 near Eustis Hunt Road on Thursday afternoon, leaving one person dead and causing major traffic delays. The Washington State Patrol said the collision happened around 4:30 p.m. at milepost 18 and involved a truck and an Eatonville School District school bus. The WSP initially reported the driver of the truck was in critical condition and said there were no reports of injured children on the bus. In a later update, the WSP said one person died at the scene, and one juvenile was being taken to the hospital with minor injuries. There were 40 students on the bus at the time of the collision. The students were evaluated on scene, according to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. Both directions of SR-161 were blocked, and the stretch of highway was expected to remain closed for a significant amount of time. Drivers were urged to avoid the area, and anyone caught in the backup was being rerouted. The Eatonville School District provided the following statement regarding the crash: Dear Eatonville School District Families and Community, We want to inform our community about a serious traffic accident involving an Eatonville School District bus that occurred this afternoon on State Route 161 near Eustis Hunt Road. The bus was transporting Eatonville Middle School eighth grade students back to Eatonville following their field trip.. At the time of the collision, approximately 40 students were aboard the bus. One Eatonville Middle School student sustained injuries and was transported for medical evaluation and treatment. The student's family was notified immediately. No other students or staff required transportation for medical care. District staff responded immediately and worked closely with emergency responders to ensure the safety and care of all students. Following the incident, all students involved have safely been reunited with their families. We recognize that incidents such as this can be unsettling for students, families, and staff. Counseling support will be available on site tomorrow for any students who may need assistance processing this event. We encourage families to reach out if they believe their child may benefit from additional support. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the first responders, law enforcement officers, fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical teams, and district staff who responded quickly and professionally to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The accident remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities. Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing investigation, the district will not be releasing additional details at this time. Thank you for your support and understanding. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.