Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
COLFAX –– Whitman County Deputies responded to two separate high-speed crashes this last week. Both crashes are still under investigation as the drivers recover from injuries.
“One of the simplest ways people can be safe on our roads is following the speed limit. I am often encouraged by the people who are seen following laws and yet somewhat discouraged by those who don’t and continue to drive aggressively. The extent of injury goes up anytime someone goes too fast,” said Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.
Reports say Whitman County Deputies responded to a one-vehicle rollover on Colfax Airport Road and Flight Line Drive, just outside Colfax, on October 22 at 7:36 a.m.
The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office reports that the driver, Wyatt Hutson, 19, of Walla Walla, was traveling westbound on Colfax Airport Road and failed to navigate a right-hand curve in the roadway. The vehicle reportedly went into a skid and left the roadway on the north side of the roadway before hitting a ditch. The vehicle rolled over after impacting the ditch.
Reports further state that observed measurements from tire skid marks indicated that the vehicle was traveling over 90 mph at the time of the crash in the 50 mph zone.
“I know I scared the crap out of my girlfriend and family,” Hutson said. “Being so young, I didn’t think I would go through a crash like this. I definitely learned a lot from this and plan to be much safer on the roads.”
Hutson was treated for his injuries and cited for Reckless Driving.
A day prior, another crash left a car in a treeline and a man in the hospital off Dry Creek Road near Imler Road, just outside Garfield, on October 21, at 1:51 p.m.
Whitman County Sheriff Deputies responded to a one-vehicle rollover where John D. Orfe Jr., 23, from Garfield, was traveling westbound on Dry Creek Road approaching Imler Road. The vehicle left the roadway when it entered a left-hand curve in the roadway and went into the ditch. The vehicle then went airborne across Imler Road, cleared a barbed wire fence, and fixed itself in a ditch in the pasture. The vehicle then rolled several times into a row of trees and stopped.
“It’s very clear that speed is always a potential aggravating factor in every single crash we see out there on our roads,” said Myers. “Statistics show a large percentage of our accidents that result in serious injury or fatality are a result of speed. You put speed in, and you add alcohol to it, and the risk of death goes up exponentially.”
Orfe was transported by ambulance from the scene for his injuries and was processed for DUI.
“As we head into winter, this is a good reminder that speed limits aren’t just arbitrary reminders for people to use. There are actual statistics for how much control and reactionary time someone will have. It is important that people are driving safely when they are driving. Don’t forget to Buckle up. Seatbelts save lives, and both these people walked away because of their seatbelts,” added Myers.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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