How Did 11 People Get Hurt in a Head-On Crash Between a Passenger Bus and a Semi Tanker on SR 24 Near Mattawa?

What happened

At least 11 people were injured when a passenger bus and a semi tanker collided head-on on State Route 24 near Mattawa, Washington, on Thursday morning. The crash happened just before 7am near milepost 53, about 13 miles east of Mattawa in Grant County.

The bus was carrying migrant farm workers, authorities confirmed, stressing that it was not a school bus. The collision involved the bus and a semi tanker travelling in opposite directions on the two-lane highway.

The incident was reported by the Washington State Patrol District 6 public information officer and the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency response

• 11 people were injured and taken to area hospitals
• The cause of the head-on collision has not yet been confirmed
• State Route 24 remained closed for investigation, with detours in place

Why it matters

Head-on collisions on rural two-lane highways are among the most dangerous crash types, and crashes involving buses carrying agricultural workers put some of the most vulnerable road users at risk. The closure of SR 24 disrupted travel through central Washington while investigators examined the scene.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the crash happen?

On State Route 24 near milepost 53, about 13 miles east of Mattawa in Grant County, Washington.

How many people were hurt?

At least 11 people were injured and taken to area hospitals, according to the Washington State Patrol District 6 and the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Was it a school bus?

No. Authorities confirmed the bus was carrying migrant farm workers and was not a school bus.

Is State Route 24 open?

The highway remained closed for investigation with detours in place following the crash.