Injury toll grows after SUV-school bus crash in Covington

COVINGTON, Wash. - An armed felon who fled on foot from an SUV that collided with a school bus Monday in Covington is now listed in critical condition after doctors discovered he had sustained a massive head injury in the crash, officials said.

He is now the third person with critical injuries from the crash. The SUV driver and a front seat passenger also were listed in critical condition Monday after the high-impact crash, although the passenger's condition was upgraded to stable on Tuesday.

A King County Sheriff's Office spokesman originally said the 18-year-old armed felon - one of three SUV occupants who fled on foot - was booked into jail after he was captured and found to be in possession of a handgun. But when doctors went to medically clear him for release to the jail, they found he had sustained the massive head injury and he was immediately hospitalized.

The two other occupants who fled from the crash scene also were captured and treated for less serious injuries.

Seven of the 28 students on the Kent Lake High School bus also were treated for minor injuries.

The crash unfolded near Covington Way SE and 165th Place SE at around 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Surveillance footage shows the red SUV blowing past a line of cars waiting at a red light and then turning left and crashing into the school bus. The force of the impact caved in the front of the SUV and caused the school bus to lift up and shudder.

Investigators are unsure who owns the SUV and are still trying to sort out why the driver was swerving and veering recklessly through traffic before the crash.