WSP trooper injured in collision on U.S. Highway 395

A Washington State Patrol trooper was transported to a Ritzville hospital after his patrol vehicle was struck while parked near a collision scene. Trooper Dean Burt, 56, was parked on the right side of northbound U.S. Highway 395 at mile post 96 near Ritzville investigating a collision scene at 9:23 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release. Mitchell Larson, 24, was driving northbound in a Honda Civic in the left lane when he spun out, crossing both lanes and striking Burt’s fully marked patrol vehicle. Burt suffered non life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital, where he was treated and released. Larson was uninjured. Burt, who has been a trooper for more than 20 years, was injured near Ritzville in 2011 when his patrol car was read-ended by a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 395. Larson received a ticket for driving too fast for conditions. Both vehicles were damaged and impounded.