Washington Transit Operator Settles with Cyclist for $2.75M

Kitsap Transit has settled a lawsuit with a Washington woman who was hit by a bus while riding her bicycle near Poulsbo.

The Kitsap Sun reported the Washington State Transit Insurance Pool, of which Kitsap Transit is a member, settled with Andrea Opalenik for $2.75 million.

Court documents say Opalenik was riding north on State Route 305 in May 2014 when she was struck by a Kitsap Transit bus driving in the same direction.

The lawsuit alleges as a result of the driver failing to maintain a proper lookout and yield the right of way, Opalenik sustained injuries including neurological impairment.

Kitsap Transit spokesman Sanjay Bhatt called the incident a tragic accident. He says their investigation found the driver was not responsible for the crash and says they settled to avoid the uncertainty of a trial.

Opalenik’s attorney declined to comment.