Early reports by the Washington State Patrol indicate a Metro bus driver was either speeding or following another motorist too closely the afternoon of April 17, leading to the collision that killed an Enumclaw man.

Pronounced dead at the scene of the 4:30 p.m. accident was 21-year-old Michael Dahlquist.

The accident occurred on busy state Route 164 and caused the highway to be closed for several hours while authorities investigated.

According to WSP reports, the Metro driver, Sandy Olosky, was traveling east when she swerved to avoid crashing into a sport utility vehicle that had slowed in front of her. That vehicle was reportedly turning off the highway.

Olosky's bus clipped the rear corner of the SUV before heading into the oncoming lane, where it slammed into the small pickup driven by Dahlquist.

A passenger in Dahlquist's pickup was treated for minor injuries. The bus driver and four passengers were not hurt; neither was the driver of the SUV.

Metro reported Olosky normally handles a route closer to Seattle and was filling in on the Enumclaw-Auburn route. She was placed on paid leave while investigations were under way.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com.