Metro provides mobile shelter for accident victims

Last week, a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 90 at the Snoqualmie Summit created a lot of problems for the Washington State Patrol. But, King County Metro Transit was able to help with one big headache – transporting stuck motorists to food and shelter.

Police and fire agencies frequently request a bus from Metro when they need to shelter people displaced by accidents, fires or other emergency incidents.

Last week, the accidents began in the afternoon on Feb. 28, when heavy snowfall caused spinouts and crashes. The 50-vehicle pileup eventually closed down westbound I-90 for several hours.

Troopers asked Metro to drive a bus to the pass and transport 12 people and two dogs. Some were dropped off in North Bend, where they could call friends and family to pick them up. Others were taken in vans by Metro supervisors to local motels.

"The WSP was very, very appreciative of our effort. They were stretched quite thin and could not have transported any of these folks," said one Metro supervisor.