The family of Michael Dahlquist, a 21-year-old man killed by a King County Metro bus, settled their case for $1.5 million. The case spurred community outrage because the bus driver, Sandie Olosky, had an extended track record of endangering passengers and the public, but was allowed to maintain her employment with King County Metro for years. Olosky swerved her bus into Dahlquist’s lane, killing him in a head-on collision. A friend of Dahlquist’s who was a passenger in his truck, was also injured.
Olosky was only cited for negligent driving by the State Patrol, in accordance with Washington state laws, and was fined $250. Olosky had a string of complaints against her dating back to 1997. She was fired by Metro in 2005 but than later reinstated. The complaints continued and Olosky received a very poor and troubled review from a Metro ride-along observer just a week before her bus collided with Dahlquist. Metro gave Olosky six months of paid leave after the Dahlquist accident before finally firing her for a second time and revoking her commercial driver’s license.
Some of Olosky’s worst offenses were:
- 2006: Olosky caused a preventable accident with poor driving and was sent to counseling.
- 2005: Olosky caused a back injury to a passenger (who also was a Metro employee) with reckless driving
- 2000: Olosky sideswiped a truck and kept driving. A passenger called 911 to report the accident.
- 1997: Olosky rear ended a vehicle, did not report to her supervisor and attempted to pay off the victim.
Download a timeline of complaints filed against Olosky.
“This woman was a documented danger to the public and Metro failed to protect the public. This incompetence cost my son his life,” said Jeff Dahlquist, Michael’s father. “We hope lawmakers will take a harder look at protecting the public in these cases under criminal law and we also hope the Legislature looks at the unfairness of the wrongful death law in Washington.”
Washington state’s wrongful death laws prohibits parents of adult children to file lawsuits for emotional damages and loss of family relationship, they are only allowed to sue for the economical value of an adult child’s lost wages and future earnings. The Dahlquist case represents a landmark settlement in that it recognizes the value of family relationships of an adult child.
As part of the settlement, Mr. and Mrs. Dahlquist met with Metro officials to discuss policy changes to keep unsuitable bus drivers off the road. As a result of Michael’s death, Metro has tightened its practices in dealing with drivers who generate public complaints.
“Only three states in this country that support this law. Three. As a parent in this situation, it appalls me that Washington is so behind the times,” said Jeff Dahlquist, Michael’s father. “My family testified in front of the State Senate to change this unfair law, but it failed to pass by the Senate by just one vote in 2008.”
“The Dahlquist family will never recover from Michael’s death,” said Stephen Bulzomi, the attorney that represented the Dahlquist family. “Their hope is that this settlement and changes in policy at Metro will prevent another family from suffering such a loss.”
Read more news about the case.
Download the press release.
