Blaine man sentenced for killing of Lynden School District bus driver
A Blaine man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison for his role in the death of a Lynden School District bus driver in May 2025.
Samuel Peter Swanson, 38, intentionally drove an SUV into a short bus driven by 62-year-old Annette Lyon on May 1, 2025, according to court records. Swanson was driving at 77 mph when he swerved across a middle turn lane and crashed head-on into the bus on the 2000 block of Main Street in Lynden.
Lyon was pronounced dead at the scene, and Swanson was taken to the hospital with multiple broken bones. There were no children or other passengers on the bus.
Prior to the crash, Swanson expressed suicidal thoughts to a friend, court documents show.
Swanson was charged with second-degree murder and initially pleaded not guilty on Aug. 15, 2025 after posting $250,000 bail. He entered a new plea of guilty to an amended charge of vehicular homicide in Whatcom County Superior Court on Friday.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Erik Sigmar said the new charge was the appropriate one, and that proving second-degree murder would have been difficult at trial. He noted that Swanson was “accepting some pretty major responsibility here.”
The plea deal was supported by Lyon’s family, according to Sigmar.
Two of Lyon’s former coworkers and friends and one of her sisters provided impact statements in court before Swanson’s sentence was imposed.
“She was loved by so many,” one coworker said. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
All three described a woman treasured by her community, her family and the kids on her route.
“The heartbreak was shared by everyone,” the coworker said.
Lyon’s bus number — 24 — was retired by the district in her honor.
Lyon’s sister said she is “still in shock and despair” over what happened. She said she wants Swanson to get therapy and never do something like this again.
Swanson also addressed the judge.
“I was stupid and not thinking straight,” he said, but did not want to hurt anyone. He said he thinks about Lyon every day and is in a better mental place now.
“I’m truly sorry for the grief I caused,” Swanson said.
Judge Lee Grochmal followed the agreed recommendation from attorneys and sentenced Swanson to 114 months in prison followed by three years in community custody. Once he’s released, Swanson will be required to undergo mental health and substance use disorder evaluations and complete any recommended treatment.
Because of the charge, any future DUI convictions will be counted as a felony.