Davis Law Group, P.S.

Three killed in motor vehicle collision on I-82 near Richland

Story Highlights:
Three people killed in Richland car accident
Multiple motor vehicle collision caused by wrong-way driver



Date: November 28, 2010, 11/28/2010
Location: Richland, Benton County, Washington
Type: Car accident, motor vehicle collision
Outcome: Three dead

A pick-up truck driving the wrong way on westbound Interstate 82 on Sunday night was responsible for causing a five-car collision that resulted in killing three people. The driver, a 26-year-old man from Pasco, collided with a 2004 Mazda carrying two adults and one 3-year old child. Several cars swerved out of the way but still got tangled in the accident.

The driver of the pick-up was killed when his vehicle rolled and was engulfed in flames. The two adults that were in the first car that was struck were killed but the child survived and was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center. Other than the 3 fatalities, no one in the other cars were seriously injured.

Interstate 82 was closed near milepost 108 after and traffic was directed to eastbound I-82 while the accident was investigated. No further details are known about the cause of the accident or why the truck driver was going the wrong way.

Wrong-way driving Statistics

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5% of all fatal crashes. In the four-county area of King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties 136 wrong-way crashes between 1997 and 2000 resulted in 81 injuries and 9 fatalities. On average about 350 people are killed each year nationwide in wrong-way freeway crashes, according to an analysis using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatal Accident Reporting System.

Washington State Reckless Driving Law

A person is guilty of vehicular assault if he or she operates or drives any vehicle:
(a) In a reckless manner and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or
(b) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or
(c) With disregard for the safety of others and causes substantial bodily harm to another.

Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

Everyone at Davis Law Group sends out their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy. This kind of accident should never have happened. In a wrongful death case like this, the families of the victims should seek compensation from their insurance companies or the at-fault driver. It is advisable that these families not to wait to hire a good attorney to help them receive the remuneration they deserve for suffering such a dreadful personal loss.


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