Update – January 22, 2026: Seven people were injured in the accident.
Spokane, WA – At approximately 12:14 PM on January 18, 2026, a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) double decker bus on Route 6 on its way from Cheney to the University District was involved in an accident on Cedar Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues in downtown Spokane. The 13’6″ bus was off route when it struck the railroad viaduct with a height clearance of 12 feet. Passenger injuries were reported, and four were transported to the hospital. The extent of their injuries are unknown as is the full extent of the damage to the bus.
STA has begun an investigation into the cause of this accident. STA officials on scene have coordinated with the City of Spokane due to the damage to the viaduct. “My thoughts are with our passengers who were injured in this tragic accident,” said STA CEO Karl Otterstrom. “We have already begun a full investigation and will implement additional measures to prevent this from happening ever again.”
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Spokane Transit provides public transportation services through fixed route (bus) service, Paratransit service, and Rideshare to the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spokane, Spokane Valley, and parts of the unincorporated County.
The organization employs nearly 775 people and is overseen by a 14-member regional board: nine voting elected officials from jurisdictions within the Public Transportation Benefit Area, four non-voting elected officials from area small cities, and a non-voting labor representative.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Carly Cortright, Chief Communications & Customer Service Officer
Email: [email protected]
Office: (509) 344-1879 • Cell: (509) 768-3782
