PULLMAN, WA – A fatal traffic collision occurred on State Route 195, approximately five miles south of Colfax on Friday evening, claiming the life a Colfax woman and injuring five others. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) responded to the scene at 7:01 PM.
According to the WSP report, a 2011 Subaru Outback, driven by 20-year-old Makala Wheeler from Vancouver, Washington, was traveling southbound on State Route 195 when it made an unsafe pass and collided with a northbound 1997 Honda Accord, driven by 67-year-old Sandra Hall from Colfax.
The impact caused the Honda Accord to come to a stop in the northbound lane, while the Subaru veered off the roadway and flipped onto its roof, coming to rest on the westbound shoulder. Hall was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wheeler, and four 18-year-old passengers in the Subaru, all from Vancouver, Washington, were transported to area hospitals with various injuries. Two were airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
Wheeler faces potential charges pending the completion of the investigation. The Washington State Patrol report says drugs or alcohol were not contributing factors in the crash.
The highway was closed until about midnight. Both vehicles involved in the collision were totaled.