Troopers still investigating why teen was driving

COULEE CITY — A 14-year-old boy was involved in a two vehicle collision on state Route 2 east of Coulee City over the weekend.

On Monday, Washington State Patrol troopers said the boy, of Hartline, was driving west on the highway around midnight Saturday evening. At the same time, Dylan A. Denton, 21, of Coulee City, was traveling in the opposite direction.

According to reports, the juvenile was attempting a left turn onto Road 37 Northeast in a 2007 Toyota Tundra when Denton’s 1989 Chevrolet pickup struck the vehicle in the westbound lane.

Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway, and both were considered total losses. Troopers said the trucks were removed from the scene by respective owners.

The youth was transported to Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. Hospital officials declined to release his status by press time.

Both subjects were wearing seatbelts, and neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be involved, according to patrol records.

Though the cause is still under investigation, troopers said that Denton was cited for failure to yield right of way.

Lt. Scott Martin with the patrol said that officials are still investigating why a 14-year-old was behind the wheel.