Crash injures three people after 93-year-old driver turns at red light in Moses Lake

A 93-year-old driver made a left turn at a red light in Moses Lake, causing a crash that injured three people on Monday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Richard C. Smith, of Ephrata, was behind the wheel of a Kia Optima when he tried to make the turn from Highway 17 onto Yonezawa Boulevard shortly after noon, the WSP said. His passenger was Bernice M. Smith, 92, also of Ephrata.

The Smiths’ car crossed in front of a southbound Toyota Camry driven by Serafin Corona Barajas, 65, of Warden. The WSP said both cars came to rest blocking the southbound lanes of the highway. Both were damaged and towed from the scene.

Richard Smith was not injured, but Bernice Smith, Corona Barajas and his passenger, Elsa M. Yanez-Henriquez, 56, were all injured and transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. All had been wearing seat belts, the WSP said.