Collision takes life of St. John resident

A two-car collision on the Moscow-Pullman highway Monday afternoon took the life of a St. John resident Ruth Leritte, 31. She was pronounced dead at the scene which was four miles east of Pullman at the intersection of the highway and the Airport Road just west of the state line.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Leritte was driving a 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara which collided with a 2006 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Jeana A. Boyd, 34, Moscow.

The report said Leritte was driving westbound at 4 p.m. in snowing conditions and lost control of the Suzuki. It slid sideways through the intersection and across the centerline into the eastbound lane and into the path of the eastbound Blazer.

Boyd was taken by ambulance to Pullman Regional Hospital. She sustained bruises and a foot injury.

A segment of the Moscow-Pullman highway was blocked off for approximately five hours while troopers investigated the accident.

The victim was taken to Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman and arrangements will be made by L.L. Bruning.

The accident was the second highway fatality in Whitman County in 17 days. (See obituary, page B4)