Vehicle Knocks Another Into A School Bus Near Ephrata

An investigation shows failure to yield by one motorist led to a four-car collision that resulted in a school bus being hit.

The Washington State Patrol says Wednesday afternoon shortly before 4:30pm, 40-year-old Jamie Barradas of Quincy pulled out onto State Route 28, about six miles west of Ephrata, according to the Columbia Basin Herald.

Her 2002 GMC Yukon struck a Chevrolet driven by 58-year-old Doris Schenk, also of Quincy, and she also then hit a Ford Escape driven by 62-year-old Mark Niehnke of Ephrata. His vehicle then hit the school bus.

The driver of the bus, 56-year-old Bonnie Balciar of Ephrata, was not hurt. Niehenke and Schenk were taken to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, but the extend of their injuries was not revealed.

The State Patrol says Barradas was cited for failure to yield. No word was given if any children on the bus, but given the time of day, late in the afternoon, it is not likely.