Inattentive driving caused fatality

The cause of the April 4 accident that took the life of Dina Williamson, 27, WSU graduate student who resided in Colfax, was believed to be probable inattentive driving, according to a report issued Tuesday by Whitman County Coroner Pete Martin. He said the investigation determined that Williamson, who was killed in the accident, drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic as she was driving northbound at 8:51 p.m. while driving a 2003 Ford Focus.

The accident was at mile marker 27 on Highway 195 near the top of what is known as Round Barn Hill. Martin said witnesses saw the Ford drift across the center line into the oncoming lane of traffic.

The car Williamson was driving was struck by a southbound 2003 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Lana Fonnesbeck, Lewiston, who sustained critcal injuries and was flown by helicopter to Providence Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.

The coroner said the investigation determined that Williamson was not attempting to pass and not sleeping at the time of the accident.

Two teens in the Fonnesbeck car were also injured and treated at Pullman Memorial Hospital

A third vehicle involved in the accident was a 2003 International van that was being driven southbound by Reggie Jones, 27, Colfax. The van hit the Suburban which had spun to a stop across the southbound lane of the highway. Jones and seven passengers in the van were not injured.