Nearby accident caused power outage, turning stoplights off at time of collision

MOSES LAKE — Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Highway 17 and Grape Drive.

According to a report from the Washington State Patrol, a 1998 green BMW Z3 driven by Rick Penhallurick, 57, was northbound on 17 around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, when it struck a southbound tan 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 19-year-old Mar'a Meza.

Half an hour before the accident, a nearby crash of a Moses Lake School District trailer against a power pole near the intersection of Randolph and 22nd Street NE, had caused a power outage in the area. Nobody was injured in that crash, but it caused several stoplights to be off, including those in the corner of Grape Drive and 17.

The report states that Penhallurick failed to yield right of way to Meza, striking her vehicle on the driver's side. A two-year-old girl who was traveling with Meza was also injured and was taken to Samaritan Hospital along with Penhallurick and Meza. Penhallurick was later released.

Charges against Penhallurick are pending, the report stated, adding that alcohol was not a factor in the accident. Penhallurick is a member of the city's Planning Commission.

The area, including several buildings of Big Bend Community College lost power after a tractor trailer became unhinged from the MLSD truck, hitting the power pole around 10 a.m. Wednesday. Nobody was reported injured in that accident.