SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2004

School bus rear-ended; four hurt
November 8, 2004

Four people were treated for minor injuries after a school bus was rear-ended at 7:35 Monday morning in front of Evergreen High School.

No one was seriously hurt, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A 2005 Ford Escape driven by Deltarose V. Ellison, 39, of Vancouver, struck the bus, said Trooper Mike Kesler. The bus driver, Christine J. Belcher, 63, of Vancouver, had stopped because a school bus ahead of her was turning left into Evergreen High School's parking lot at 14300 N.E. 18th St., Kesler said.

Ellison, Belcher, another adult on the bus, Susan B. Perry, 50, and one student on the bus, James D. Boltz, 12, of Vancouver, reported minor back and neck injuries. They were treated and released from Southwest Washington Medical Center. There were only two students on the bus.

Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat belt, Kesler said.

The Ford Escape "was pretty close to being totaled," Kesler said. The driver, Ellison, told police she didn't see the bus until it was too late to stop. The weather was foggy, Kesler said, and though Ellison was going about 12 mph, she will be cited for driving too fast for conditions. The ticket will cost her $153.

The bus, a small 1991 model equipped with seat belts, has a damaged frame. The school district hopes it can be repaired. "We're having it evaluated right now," said Gary Thomsen, the school district's transportation manager. He said the damage would cost at least $3,000 to fix. A new bus like the one damaged would cost $50,000.

By MARGARET ELLIS, Columbian staff writer

NOTE FROM: Arthur L. Yeager, DMD, MMH
Though this was a lower force accident, contrary to anti-belt cynics, note that all the children on this small bus were using their seat belts.

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