Head-On Collision Kills 3, Injures 2

Three people were killed and two others seriously injured in a head-on collision on Washington 510 in Thurston County.

Paul Mitcheltree, 53, of Yelm; Jesse Cruz, 24, of Tacoma; and Lynette Rode, 27, of Yelm, were killed in Saturday’s accident.

Cruz and Rode were passengers in a car driven by Sharla Woodson, 24, of Rochester.

Woodson and another passenger, 23-year-old Stanley Myers of Lacey, both survived and were taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Woodson suffered multiple internal injuries, including a brain hemorrhage and ruptured spleen, nursing supervisor Meg Kerr said Sunday. She was in critical condition.

Myers, who had been in serious condition with a cervical fracture and spinal injuries, was upgraded Sunday to stable, Kerr said.

The accident occurred near Fort Lewis’ tank crossing, just past mile marker 11. Woodson was driving eastbound on Washington 510 at about 6:30 a.m. when she moved into the westbound lane while attempting to pass the car ahead of her, according to the Washington State Patrol.

She drove head-on into the pickup driven by Mitcheltree. He died instantly of head injuries, the patrol said.

Officials have not determined if the vehicles were travelling above the 35 mph speed limit or if Woodson would face charges.

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