According to a preliminary investigation, a 17-year-old Kennewick teen was driving a Kia Optima southbound on the highway when he lost control and swerved off the southbound side. The driver then overcorrected and crossed the centerline into the northbound lane
Othello, WA – A teen was airlifted after a rollover accident that occurred nearly seven miles southeast of Othello early Saturday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The single-vehicle collision took place on Highway 17 at about 1 a.m. on Saturday, January 10.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 17-year-old Kennewick teen was driving a Kia Optima southbound on the highway when he lost control and swerved off the southbound side. The driver then overcorrected and crossed the centerline into the northbound lane.
The Kia flipped and came to a rest upright in the northbound shoulder.
The Washington State Patrol and emergency personnel arrived at the scene shortly after and a helicopter was requested.
The teen was airlifted to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland with unspecified injuries. Authorities reported that the teen was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
It was unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the Kia. The Washington State Patrol is investigating to determine the cause of the accident.
Othello is one of the largest cities in Adams County and experiences a number of accidents due to dangerous highways like SR 26 and Highway 17. The two highways have huge traffic, and pass through Othello. There was a concerning rise in traffic fatalities in Adams County between 2022 and 2023. The county recorded 6 deaths in 2022 and this increased by 33% to 8 in 2023, according to data from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). High-risk driving behaviors like speeding and distracted driving, along with drinking under the influence, played a major role in these incidents. Road conditions like dust storms and dense fog on Highway 17 are also noted to contribute to these accidents and drivers are urged to always pull to safety whenever there is low visibility.
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