Duststorm a factor in I-90 crash

RITZVILLE — Charges are pending against a Moses Lake man following a multiple-car collision Saturday afternoon on Interstate 90.

The crash, attributed to a large duststorm, occurred 20 miles west of the city at 2:08 p.m., the Washington State Patrol reported.

"It [the duststorm] was about 700-800 feet wide coming across the road and at least an eighth of a mile long," said Mark Dykstra of Pete's Towing, which got called to the scene an hour later. "The wind must have been blowing about 25 mph.

"At times, you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face."

"Then it would quit blowing and you could see again," added Roy Greenwalt, who also took the call for Pete's Towing.

According to the patrol, Jonathan A. Duvall, 36, of Moses Lake, was westbound at Milepost 200 when he struck a vehicle driven by Carl B. Broadnax, 62, from behind.

Duvall was not injured, but was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake as a precautionary measure, the patrol said.

Passengers Amy Duvall, 35; Henry Duvall, 2; Owen Duvall, 5; Ian Duvall, 9; and Jacob Duvall, 11; were all transported to the hospital, as well.

Broadnax, from Compton City, Calif., was not injured.

Meanwhile, a 2019 freight tractor driven by William D. Rill, 53, of Heppner, Ore., struck Duvall's vehicle from behind, the patrol said. He was not injured in the collision.

Next, a vehicle driven by Michael M. Lopez, 67, of Moses Lake struck Rill's truck and trailer from behind, the patrol said. He was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake as a precautionary measure, the patrol said.

Passengers Amy Duvall, 35; Henry Duvall, 2; Owen Duvall, 5; Ian Duvall, 9; and Jacob Duvall, 11; were all transported to the hospital, as well.

Broadnax, from Compton City, Calif., was not injured.

Meanwhile, a 2019 freight tractor driven by William D. Rill, 53, of Heppner, Ore., struck Duvall’s vehicle from behind, the patrol said.

He was not injured in the collision, according to the patrol

Next, a vehicle driven by Michael M. Lopez, 67, of Moses Lake struck Rill’s truck and trailer from behind, the patrol said.

He was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.

Lopez’s passenger, Sally Lopez, 66, of Moses Lake was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, the patrol said.

In addition, a 2012 Nissan Xterra driven by Michael Norman, 50, struck Lopez’s vehicle from behind. Norman and his passenger, Judy Parr, 57, both of Bremerton, were transported to East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville, the patrol said.

Everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt, the patrol said.

The first four vehicles came to rest between the right lane and right shoulder of westbound I-90, while the fifth vehicle came to rest on the left shoulder of westbound I-90, the patrol said.

Duvall’s 2014 Chrysler Town and Country was totaled and towed by Pete’s Towing, the patrol said. Broadnax’s 2019 undamaged freight tractor was driven from the scene, along with his damaged 2019 utility trailer.

Rill’s truck was towed and his 2009 trailer was picked up at his request, the patrol said, noting Lopez’s 2018 Toyota Highlander was totaled and towed by Pete’s Towing.

Norman’s Nissan was totaled and towed by B&B Towing, the patrol said.

Pete’s Towing also towed a Subaru from the accident not listed on the state patrol report.

“It was so dirty out there, you couldn’t see what was going on,” said Ray Greenwalt of Pete’s Towing, adding there was also a late-model Dodge pickup damaged in the crash.