Man seriously injured in crash with Columbia bus
A Centralia man is in critical condition after his motorcycle collided with a Columbia city bus Monday morning in north Columbia.
According to a report from the Columbia Police Department, 34-year-old Michael Heaston, of Centralia was traveling westbound on Vandiver Drive near Burlington Street and a Columbia city bus, driven by 53-year-old Archie Smith, of Columbia was traveling southbound on Burlington. The report states that Heaston tried to avoid the bus by going into the turn lane but went on his side and collided with the bus.
Heaston was taken to University Hospital after the accident. University Hospital spokesman Matt Splett confirmed that Heaston was alive and in critical condition as of 9 a.m. Tuesday. The police report said Heaston had been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Columbia Transportation and Paratransit officials have not responded to a request for comment at the time of this posting.