Former Metro bus driver cited in fatal collision

A former King County Metro bus driver who was involved in a head-on collision in April that killed a man in Enumclaw was cited Tuesday with negligent driving by the State Patrol.

Sandie Olosky must pay the $250 fine or contest the misdemeanor charge in King County District Court by Dec. 26, according to Dan Donohoe, spokesman for the King County Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office had previously said there was not enough evidence to support a felony charge against Olosky.

Olosky was fired from Metro in October after the transit company determined that the crash, which killed 21-year-old Michael Dahlquist, could have been prevented.

On April 17, Olosky was driving a Metro bus on Highway 164 when she swerved into oncoming lanes to avoid hitting a vehicle that had slowed. The bus hit that vehicle before colliding with a pickup driven by Dahlquist, who died at the scene.

The State Patrol determined Olosky had realized too late that the vehicle in front of her was slowing down.

Natalie Singer: 206-464-2704 or nsinger@seattletimes.com