ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A 16-year-old girl suffered gruesome injuries when a suspected drunk driver crashed into her truck on Vantage Highway. If samples prove that he was drunk during the crash, the suspect will face a felony vehicular assault charge.
According to a social media post from the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the scene of the collision around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29 for reports of a collision on Vantage Highway.
Investigators learned that a 57-year-old Ellensburg man identified as Richard Harding was headed eastbound on the roadway while a 16-year-old driving a Ford pickup truck was westbound.
Harding allegedly crossed the center line and crashed directly into the oncoming truck before spinning into the westbound lane and colliding with a different vehicle being driven by a 16-year-old.
Authorities say the victim in the Ford pickup truck suffered multiple compound fractures to her legs and was found bleeding profusely. The first responding deputy applied a tourniquet and she was transported away. Kittitas County officials say she “is expected to recover, though it will be a long process.”
Harding, who is expected to recover, was also airlifted away. However, authorities developed reason to believe that he was under the influence at the time of the collision, which caused them to obtain a warrant for a blood sample.
“If lab analysis confirms he was intoxicated, Harding will be charged with felony vehicular assault for the grievous injury he caused,” Kittitas County officials stated.
Image via Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, FB
TOP HEADLINES FROM THE KAPP-KVEW NEWS STAFF:
READ: Stabbing in Yakima leaves older adult in critical condition
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY YAKTRINEWS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.