A 32-year-old man walking across the street at 3rd and Stewart was hit by a Metro bus around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The man was struck by the bike rack on the bus, which sent him flying into the windshield. After the impact, the injured man jumped up and walked a block away to the nearest coffee stand on 4th and Pine.
Workers at the coffee stand took his order while calling an ambulance for his bloodied head. Paramedics arrived to treat the man's injuries before he could enjoy his hot beverage. The injured man is being treated at Harborview Medical Center for non life-threatening injuries. His condition is listed as serious at this time.
Police investigators suspect the Metro driver, Anecito Navasca, was intoxicated due to their observations while on the scene. A drug expert was summoned to evaluate the driver and perform a sobriety test. A breathalyzer test was conducted at the scene but the results were negative. Despite those findings, Navasca was briefly arrested and taken to the hospital for a blood test to check for drugs or alcohol.
Metro also performed a blood test as a part of their own investigation into the incident. Witnesses on the scene claim Navasca appeared to be sober during their interactions with him. Metro released a statement confirming the driver did not have alcohol in his system at the time of the accident. Navasca has been employed by Metro for more than 20 years with less than five incidents on his record.
In accordance with Metro's policies, Navasca was placed on leave while police are investigating. Seattle Police believe the man who was struck may have been intoxicated by drugs or alcohol as well. The full results of the police investigation are still pending.
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