Seattle bus crash: New video shows moment ice skater Amanda Schneider died as driver Adam Abelson is charged with vehicular homicide
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: A newly released video depicts the events leading up to a terrible bus crash in Seattle that killed a 28-year-old woman standing on the sidewalk.
On Thursday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) released video of the November 4 crash at 5th Ave and Battery Street intersection.
The collision occurred on Saturday, November 4, in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood when the driver of a red sedan ran a red light.
What did the newly released footage entail?
On Fifth Avenue, a red sedan allegedly driven by 31-year-old Adam Abelson was speeding and ran a red light before crashing into a King County Metro bus.
The bus then swerved into the frontage of a bank, hitting a woman who was waiting to cross the street. She was killed instantly upon that impact.
Amanda Joelle Schneider was later identified as the victim of the accident by the King County Medical Examiner.
All of the over a dozen passengers aboard that bus suffered minor injuries.
Eight people, including the bus driver and passengers, were treated and discharged after the crash.
The bus driver suffered a sore shoulder and headache from the impact of the steering wheel on his leg.
Adam Abelson was removed from his vehicle and received medical treatment at Harborview Medical Center for his injuries.
He has since been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.
Court records indicate that drug paraphernalia was discovered on the car's front passenger seat when Abelson was found unconscious, "raising suspicion that he had recently consumed drugs."
A toxicology test was ordered for Abelson, and the results from the Washington State Toxicology Lab are still pending.
According to KCPAO documents, Abelson has a prior conviction for a hit and run, along with a pending case involving fleeing from a police officer and running a red light in downtown Seattle.
Abelson has accumulated more than 50 warrants for his arrest over the years.
Prosecutors wrote in court documents, "This defendant is a grave danger to the public and a flight risk who is not expected to appear for any Court appearance on his own volition."
Abelson's bail has been set at $500,000 and is currently detained in the King County jail.
Who was Amanda Schneider?
Amanda Joelle Schneider was a promising figure skater who had relocated to Seattle from California.
She loved music, fitness, ice skating, and dancing, and was pursuing a degree in psychology.
"He killed our precious daughter," Amanda's father Karl Schneider told the Seattle Times. "She was too young to die. A horrible way to die, in my opinion,” he said.
“We would go to baseball games. At one point, she knew every one of the San Francisco Giants. She is a very lovable, sweet, calm person,” the grieving father added.
“She was daddy's little girl,” Karl further noted.