Snowstorm causes driving issues

COLFAX –– As snow fell on the county Sunday morning, vehicles were sliding off the road.

The Colfax Washington State Patrol (WSP) tally showed 11 non-reportable accidents, five reportable and two they were unable to locate. No injuries reported.

WSP responded to a semi fully blocking both directions of Highway 195 at milepost 26, near Armstrong Road just after 9 a.m. This was followed by notification of multiple collisions between mileposts 20 and 25 on the same road.

The driver of the 2020 Freightliner, Charlie Thomas Jr., of Kettle Falls, allegedly lost control and the semi crossed the centerline as the trailer swung counter-clockwise. The cab of the semi impacted the northbound ditch and became stuck while the trailer blocked both lanes.

Traffic was diverted to Highway 27 to circumvent the area.

One lane was opened about 12:30 p.m. and a tow truck brought in to clear the semi. WSP reported the area cleared about 1:30 p.m.

Another semi slide-off was non-reportable.