Lewiston duo dies in accident

Two Lewiston residents died Saturday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 127 seven miles south of Dusty, and a Milton-Freewater man, the driver of one of the vehicles, was taken by helicopter to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Victor J. Marly, 38, Milton-Freewater, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer southbound on the Walla Walla Highway at 11:25 a.m. and attempted to make a pass around another southbound vehicle.

The Trailblazer collided with a 2007 Toyota Camry which was being driven north by Ronald G. West, 64, Lewiston. He and his wife, Frances M. West, 72, a passenger in the Camry, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The collision was in the northbound lane of 127 north of the Big Alkali road intersection.

Marly sustained head and chest injuries. A Colfax ambulance crew was called to the scene and attended Marly until the Medstar crew arrived to airlift him to Spokane.

The highway was closed until 1:05 p.m. when it was opened to one-way traffic. Both lanes were opened at 3:50 p.m.