Family of Couple Killed by Kirkland Bus Crash Fondly Recall Parents

The adult children of a couple married almost 55 years who were killed after a Sound Transit bus hit the car their son was driving in Kirkland are recalling their parents fondly, one of them telling the Seattle Times she gains strength from “the foundation that my parents gave us.”

Renae Meyer rushed from her home in Idaho when she got word about her parents from brother Phil Rotta of Bellevue. Their brother Ken Rotta, an airline pilot from Kirkland, had been driving his 2010 Ford escape when the bus ran a red light and hit them on the Northeast 128th Street overpass in Kirkland.

Robert Rotta, 76, died at the scene, and his wife, Elizabeth, 75, died later at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. They lived in Bellevue.

Meyer said she has gained comfort from her family, and what her parents taught her. “God creates life and takes away life,” she said. “We know that one day we will see them again.”

Both Phil and Ken Rotta were at their mother’s side when she passed away peacefully, according to the Times story. She was awake and talking before she died.

“I told her about dad passing away,” says Phil Rotta. “She said, ‘He’s in heaven. I will deeply miss him.’ ”

Soon after, she too passed away.

Meanwhile, KIRO TV is reporting that several passengers on the bus are supporting the driver, Aleksander Rukhlin, 54, of Everett, who said his brakes failed. The bus finally came to a stop well north on Interstate 405 after the crash. Police say Rukhlin showed no signs of impairment after the crash.

One rider said Rukhlin struggled for control of the bus. Other passengers were concerned he had suffered a medical emergency, but he told them he was OK and it was the bus that had a problem.

Sound Transit said it was inspecting the bus but had not yet determined the cause of the crash.

For the full KIRO story, click here.

For the full Times story, click here.