LYNDEN, Wash. — Lynden Police arrested and booked a 38-year-old Blaine man into Whatcom County Jail this morning, August 8, 2025. He was charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor told Whatcom News via email that the arrest is the result of an investigation into the fatal crash that killed a Lynden school bus driver in May.
After an extensive investigation, the facts and evidence were presented to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office for their review. The Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to charge 38-year-old Samuel Swanson of Blaine with 2nd degree murder. Swanson was booked on that charge this morning. He turned himself in.
– Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor (August 8, 2025)
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Swanson is scheduled to make a preliminary court appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court this afternoon where bail may be set.
First responders were dispatched to the 2000 block of W Main Street in Lynden about 8am on Thursday, May 1, 2025, due to reports of a car versus school bus crash with injuries. The Lynden School District issued a statement soon after confirming one of their buses had been involved in the crash, the bus driver died as a result and there were no students on the bus at the time.
Lynden Police issued a statement saying their preliminary investigation indicated a white SUV was traveling eastbound when it collided with a school bus traveling westbound. The driver of the bus was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the SUV was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center for treatment.
At the time, it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the cause of the crash.
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