I-90 pileup in downtown Spokane slows traffic

Eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 were partially blocked this morning by a multiple-vehicle collision in the vicinity of the Maple Street on ramp, but traffic was moving freely again as early this afternoon. Washington State Patrol troopers and the state Department of Transportation were on the scene. Traffic was backed up behind the accidents, but was moving around the collisions on the right hand side of the freeway. The collisions occurred about about 10:30 a.m. WSP said there were eight vehicles involved, including a 2000 Izuzu Boxtruck driven by Avery Hargette, 57. WSP said Hargette was driving eastbound on Interstate 90 in lane three, while the other seven vehicles were in eastbound lanes two and three, stopped when traffic had backed up from a previous collision. Law enforcement believes the cause of the accident was inattention and Hargette was cited for negligent driving. Two injuries were reported. Sandra Heffernan, 42, of Spokane, was transported to Sacred Heart and 34-year-old Hashimah A. Sultan of Cheney was taken to Deaconess. The State Patrol said two lanes were blocked. Traffic was backed up nearly to the top of Sunset Hill as of 11:20 a.m. The WSP announced that the roadway was clear shortly after noon.