Five people were sent to the hospital, two with serious injuries, after a semi truck hit a transit bus at the intersection of Highway 395 and Hildebrand Blvd. in Kennewick.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson says the semi-truck driver was heading northbound on 395 from Oregon with a full load of potatoes. He says when he was coming up to the intersection he lost his brakes and couldn't stop at the red light. Thorson says the truck T-boned the Ben-Franklin Transit bus, which was crossing the intersection on Hildebrand Blvd. The crash caused the semi to roll onto its side and spill its load of potatoes across the intersection.

Thorson says all four passengers and the bus driver were taken to the hospital, at least two people suffered from serious injuries and the others suffered from minor injuries. The driver of the semi was not hurt.

Troopers say the driver of the semi-truck will likely face charges. Thorson says they are still investigating the brakes to see how or if it malfunctioned, but he did say several witnesses confirmed the drivers account of what happened.

The crash did cause traffic in the area and a portion of Highway 395 had to be shut down for a few hours as crews worked to remove the truck and transit bus.

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