By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Police and aid were called just after 3 p.m. when a van ran into the back of a school bus in Chehalis, smashing the front of the van. Nobody was hurt.
It happened on the 100 block of Southwest Interstate Avenue.
The bus was southbound but stopped for traffic ahead, according to the Chehalis Police Department.
“The van sustained quite a bit of damage, I think it’s probably totaled,” Sgt. Brian Hickey said. “I don’t think there was much braking.”
An airbag deployed so the 18-year-old driver was unhurt, according to Chehalis Fire Department Capt. Kevin Curfman.
Curfman said the chief arrived first and let them know nobody was injured, but a medic also checked out each of the 12 grade school-aged children.
“I don’t think they even felt anything hardly,” Curfman said.
Hickey wasn’t finished with his investigation, but said it appeared the driver looked away and when she looked back, the bus was stopped in front of her.