Two killed, two injured in accidents
Two people died and two were seriously injured in three separate single-vehicle crashes that occurred on Whitman County roads over the past three days.
The first, a rollover accident on Oakesdale Road near the town of Oakesdale, happened around 3 p.m. Saturday.
Robin Diane Johnson, 44, was driving south in a Suburban with her 5-year-old daughter when her car left the roadway on a curve at milepost 5 and rolled, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Because her injuries were severe, Johnson was flown to Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane on Medstar. Johnson died at the hospital Saturday night.
The child’s injuries were minor.
Rescue workers took the girl to the Whitman County Hospital before releasing her to her father.
A preliminary investigation shows that Johnson may not have been wearing a seat belt.
The second accident was discovered Sunday afternoon on Thorn Creek Road near Thornton by Rosalia firefighters who were investigating a report of electrical failure and downed power lines at about 4:30 p.m.
A 1982 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Bernard David Becker, 20, of Thornton, had left the roadway at milepost 5, sheared off a power pole and landed in Thorn Creek, according to sheriff’s reports.
The vehicle caught fire and its interior was destroyed. Becker was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Patty Richards.
A preliminary investigation points to speed and alcohol as factors in the Thorn Creek crash.
The third accident took place shortly before 10 a.m. Monday when two teenage girls were ejected from the 1983 GMC truck one of them was driving on the Hay-Lacrosse Road about 1.5 miles from State Route 26.
Sheriff’s officers believe the vehicle was traveling north when the driver lost control and the truck rolled.
Both girls were taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Medical Center.
They were listed in critical condition Monday afternoon, said Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers, who declined to give the girls’ names or ages.
He said their families had been notified.
Speed and inattentive driving may have contributed to the third crash.
Whitman County deputies will further investigate the accidents with the help of the Washington State Patrol.