Sound Transit: 'No problems found with brakes on bus'

SEATTLE -- Washington State Patrol investigators found no mechanical problems with the bus involved in a fatal crash on May 6 that claimed the lives of an elderly couple, Sound Transit said Thursday.

The bus traveled up the exit and failed to stop for a red light at the intersection, slamming into the passenger side of an eastbound Ford Escape. Both rightside passengers in the Escape were fatally injured; at least one of the 25 bus passengers sustained minor injuries.  The driver passed a drug and alcohol test and told investigators that the brakes failed and he lost control of the bus.

Thursday's indings are just the first phase of the investigation. Investigators will now try to determine whether there were any human or environmental factors that contributed to the crash.

The driver remains on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.