12:45 p.m. update - Argonne is now back open.

Argonne Road is expected to be blocked near Upriver Drive for another hour or so due to a serious accident, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. Northbound lanes are blocked at Maringo and only one southbound lane is open.

The driver of a car rear ended a large moving truck at the intersection of Argonne and Upriver Drive. "The bumper of the truck is about where the head rest should be," said Spokane Valley Fire Department assistant fire marshal Bill Clifford. A Spokane County Fire District 9 engine was nearby doing hydrant tests and was first on the scene. They called for extrication equipment to remove the critically injured driver from the car.

"We sent a bunch of equipment headed that way and couple of ambulances," Clifford said. The driver appeared to have head injuries, he said. "He needed to be extricated rather quickly and transported to the hospital."

There were no skid marks left by the car, Clifford said. The crash is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office. Two people in the moving van were also injured and taken to the hospital.

Photo courtesy the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

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