MEAD, Wash. — Eva Allen died Monday evening after being struck by a Mead School District bus at a crosswalk on Hastings Road near Mead High School, highlighting ongoing safety concerns about the poorly lit intersection.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash, though details about what caused the collision remain limited. Investigators say impairment and speed do not appear to be factors in the case, and no charges have been filed against the bus driver.
The Mead School District has placed the bus driver on administrative leave, which officials say is routine in cases like this.
The deadly crash occurred at a crosswalk that residents say has long been a safety hazard. While many are grieving the loss of a family member and friend, others are still piecing together what happened.
“I wish I could say I’m shocked, but not really,” said Ellie Musa, who graduated from Mead High School in the spring.
The crosswalk where Allen was walking when she was hit is one that people who live nearby say they try to avoid. Hastings Road has three crosswalks in front of Mead High School, but the one where this crash happened is the only one that doesn’t have lights alerting drivers when someone is crossing.
Neighbors also point out there’s no streetlight directly above the crosswalk, and residents believe the lack of lighting along the street could have played a role in the crash.
“There were never any lights there. There were no cameras as far as I could tell. There were people who drive pretty recklessly around there,” Musa said.
Musa knows exactly how dangerous the intersection can be. She was previously struck by a vehicle while crossing Hastings Road.
“I was just trying to cross to get towards the school. And somebody came up, hit me about halfway through,” she said.
She hopes Allen’s death will spur action to make the crosswalk a safer place. Musa points out that many sophomores park nearby and have to use this crosswalk to get to school.
“Knowing that there’s people probably crossing there when it’s dark out, just trying to get to their cars and like, that’s just scary to me,” she said.
The Mead School District released a statement expressing devastation over the loss.
“We are devastated by the loss resulting from the tragic accident involving a Mead School District bus. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones, and we extend our deepest condolences and stand with them during this profoundly difficult time. Any time we lose a member of the Mead family, whether a current or former student, it has a widespread impact,” the district wrote.
The district said it continues to review ways it can make the school safer for students, staff and families.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly what led to the collision.
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