DEMING, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 2:45pm on Monday, May 1st, to the intersection of Valley Highway (SR9) and Williams Lake Road due to a report of a 2-car rollover crash with injuries.
As of 3:20pm 3:50pm, Washington State Department of Transportation said both lanes of Valley Highway were blocked due to the crash.
Whatcom County Fire District 16 Fire Chief Hank Maleng told Whatcom News they transported 3 patients, 2 under basic life support (BLS) protocol and 1 under advanced life support (ALS) protocol. Rescuers had to use tools to extricate 1 of the patients from their vehicle. He added that this was a head-on crash.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsy Harding told Whatcom News motorists can expect an extended closure and the investigation was still underway as of 4:20pm.
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Click for more informationAbout 5:20pm, WSDOT reported traffic was being alternated through an open lane by flaggers.
WSDOT reported both lanes had reopened by 7pm.
A press memo issued by the WSP said a White 1992 Ford F150, driven by an 18-year-old from Acme with an 18-year-old passenger, was southbound on Valley Highway when it failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center line and struck a 2012 Toyota Prius being driven by a 71-year-old from Deming.
The 2 18-year-olds were transported to the hospital and the 71-year-old was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Both vehicles were considered to be total losses.
Only the passenger was determined to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. It was unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved. The investigation into the cause of the crash was continuing.