Two Mattawa men killed in crash
Candice Boutilier<br | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 15 years, 6 months AGO
MATTAWA — Two Mattawa men were killed in a collision on state Route 243, one mile west of Mattawa, Wednesday morning.
Mario Carranza, 29, and Eduardo Guerrero, 21, died at the collision scene due to massive injuries, the Washington State Patrol reported. They were passengers in a 2007 Dodge Nitro.
Fernando G. Tapia, 27, Mattawa, was traveling westbound with four passengers on Road 24 in the Dodge Nitro approaching SR 243, the state patrol reported. He allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a trailer being pulled by a semitruck on the highway.
Tapia was transported to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash., for treatment of possible leg injuries.
Luis Navarro-Media, 33, Quincy, was the driver of the 2002 Peterbuilt truck pulling a trailer of potatoes. He was treated at the scene for bumps and bruises, the state patrol reported.
Guadalupe J. Gonzalez, 21, Federal Way, Wash., was a passenger in the Dodge Nitro. He was transported to Yakima Regional Hospital for treatment of possible facial, neck, back and shoulder fractures. He was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Spokane.
Rafael Guerrero Jr., 28, Grandview, Wash., was a passenger in the Dodge Nitro. He was transported to Yakima Regional Hospital for treatment of possible broken ribs and a shoulder injury.
Authorities suspect drugs or alcohol may be involved in the collision. Authorities are investigating potential charges against Tapia, the state patrol reported.
The Dodge Nitro was totaled and towed from the scene.
The Peterbuilt semitruck and trailer sustained $10,000 worth of damage and was towed from the scene.
While troopers investigated the scene, the intersection was blocked for about five hours.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY CANDICE BOUTILIER<BR
Miss Rodeo Washington: 33 years in the making
Supports George woman
MOSES LAKE — Katie Garfield is the first Grant County resident in 33 years to accept the crown for Miss Rodeo Washington.
"It was like something out of 'Wizard of Oz'"
Tornado destroys barn
MOSES LAKE — A tornado touched down on Road P near Moses Lake, picking up a barn and slamming it to the ground Wednesday night.
Quincy ranks high for high-tech business
Independent study released
QUINCY — A cost analysis study commissioned by the Port of Quincy determined Quincy is a competitive place for a high technology manufacturing businesses to locate.