A Sequim School District bus was rear-ended Wednesday morning at the intersection of Carlsborg Road and U.S. Highway 101.

Trooper Katherine Weatherwax with Washington State Patrol reports the bus driver was transported to Olympic Medical Center with minor injuries, and the driver of a Chevy Silverado was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Weatherwax said the Silverado was traveling westbound in the far right, northbound lane and struck the back of a chip trailer near the Carlsborg/highway intersection. The Silverado then went into the left lane and struck the back of the school bus, Weatherwax said.

Clallam County Fire District 3, Weatherwax and the school district report no children were on the bus when the wreck occurred before school started.

Sequim School District Superintendent Regan Nickels said the bus for Route 25 travels across the Sequim area and they’ve replaced it with another bus to pick up and drop off students. A substitute bus driver is filling in for the injured driver.

“We significantly appreciate the help of our first responders for their level of care for our driver,” Nickels said.

“We’re optimistic for the driver’s recovery. We’re also thankful no students were on the bus.”

Weatherwax said the incident did not include a vehicular assault charge because the school bus driver’s injuries were not as severe as initially reported.

Traffic was limited to one lane in the northbound lane as State Patrol detectives investigated the scene.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ A school bus driver sustained minor injuries on the morning of March 5 after a driver hit a chip trailer in one lane and then the bus in the adjacent lane going westbound on U.S. Highway 101 near Carlsborg Road.