Grant Co., WA (August 16, 2026) – A 29-year-old Spokane Valley man was injured early on Friday morning, August 14, after being struck by a bus near the Gorge Amphitheater. The collision occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Silica Road Northwest and Sagecliffe Road Northwest.
The man was walking near the intersection when the bus struck him; he was flown by air ambulance to an out-of-area hospital for treatment. The 69-year-old bus driver was identified as an Ephrata man. Authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash.
We hope the injured pedestrian makes a full recovery.
How Bus Size Can Increase Pedestrian Injury Severity
Buses are much larger and heavier than pedestrians, so even a relatively brief impact can transfer substantial force to the body. A pedestrian has no protective structure to absorb that energy.
The head, chest, pelvis, arms, and legs can all be vulnerable during contact with a large vehicle. A fall to the pavement afterward may create a second source of trauma.
Vehicle speed, lighting, visibility, contact angle, and the pedestrian’s position can all influence injury severity. Medical teams may need to evaluate for fractures, internal injuries, brain trauma, or other damage that is not immediately visible.
