UPDATE: Fatal Collision on U.S. 12, Victim Identified
Courtesy Ann Payne Ingersoll
The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatal two-car collision that occurred Friday afternoon east of Wallula.
Troopers say unsafe passing led to the collision, which occurred just around 4:30 p.m., near Lambdin Road, about 16 miles east of the intersection of U.S. 12 and State Route 124 -- better known as Wallula Junction.
The collision killed 36-year-old Ruth Garcia of College Place.
According to the Washington State Patrol, Garcia and four other people were inside a 1997 Toyota Corolla driven by 38-year-old Henry Thacker of Walla Walla. Thacker was travelling westbound on U.S. 12 when he attempted to pass another vehicle and struck a 2003 Dodge Intrepid head on.
The driver of the other car, 51-year-old Lynda West of Richland was injured, along with three other passengers in Thacker's vehicle, including two boys, ages 7 and 11. Garcia died at the scene.
The injured were transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland and Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla.