Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Roadway closed for several hours, reopened by 3 p.m.
STEPTOE - A three-vehicle crash on Highway 23 near milepost 7 injured one driver on the morning of Monday, October 14. The crash occurred around 11:36 a.m. and involved vehicles traveling in both directions.
According to the Washington State Patrol, Vehicle One, a 2020 Jeep Cherokee driven by 20-year-old Mandy L. Cole of Belfair, Wash., was heading southbound when it swerved into the northbound lane to avoid a controlled brush fire.
"What I can tell you is there was a controlled burn at the time and limited visibility," said Washington State Patrol Sergeant Ryan Senger. "It is a head-on collision between the white SUV and the grain truck. The Mustang was also involved in it."
This maneuver resulted in a crash with James F. Kile, 76, of St. John, who was driving a 2000 Freightliner truck.
Following the initial impact, Jennifer M. Hoffman, 53, of Oakesdale, was struck while driving a red 2004 Ford Mustang.
Emergency responders transported Cole to Sacred Heart Medical Center via Life Flight, where she was reported to have sustained injuries.
"The driver of the white Jeep was life-flighted to Spokane; it's destroyed," Senger added.
Both Kile and Hoffman were not injured in the collision, and all drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the incident.
The crash has been attributed to an unsafe lane change caused by the fire.
The Jeep Cherokee was declared a total loss, while both the Mustang and the Freightliner sustained reportable damage.
No charges have been filed in connection with the accident, and the Washington State Patrol continues to investigate.
"We have a certified technical specialist in charge of investigating scenes like this," Senger noted. "Sometimes we don't do a full scene mock-up, but for this one, we are. He flew an aerial vehicle to take pictures, and we are taking measurements of all the cars and all the roadway debris to ensure we can do the best investigation possible."
AK Towing and Recovery was called to the scene to tow both the Mustang and the Jeep.
The crash occurred just beyond Shields Road, roughly 7-8 miles west of Steptoe alongside Pleasant Valley Creek.
"I will say, if there are roadway hazards, just be attentive on the highway," Senger advised. "I do not know what played a factor in this because it is still under investigation, but with winter coming, please pay mind to the roadways."
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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