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Car crashes into bus on Kelowna street leaving two hospitalized

Driver is charged and police say they suspect distracted driving was a factor in the crash.

Kelowna RCMP say two women were taken to hospital Sunday evening after being injured when a city transit bus was "broadsided" by a car.

Following the incident, the car, a white Pontiac Grand-am ended up on a residential property.

In a news release issued Monday, RCMP spokesman Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said the collision  occurred at 7:42 pm at the intersection of Bernard Avenue and Ethel Street.

According to police, the car, driven by a 20 year-old Penticton woman, was northbound on Ethel and failed to stop for a red light at the intersection. As a result, it  broadsided the bus, which was eastbound on Bernard Avenue, proceeding through the intersection on a green light.

After colliding with the bus, the car careened off the roadway and onto the property of a home in the 900-block of Bernard Avenue.

Police say they have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash, but believe that distracted driving may have been a contributing factor.

Two woman on the bus, both from the Kelowna area, sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. They were taken to Kelowna General Hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

The driver of the Pontiac was not injured. She was charged under the Motor Vehicle Act for failing to stop at the red light.

Police are asking witnesses of the collision, who have not yet spoken to police, to come forward and contact Const. Sean Odermatt of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

Information can also be given anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.