Woman dies in rollover

Alcohol may be factor; driver could press charges of vehicular homicide

EPHRATA — An Ephrata woman is dead following a rollover on Sagebrush Flats Road Friday night.

According to the Grant County Sheriff's Office, a 1991 Toyota Tercel driven by Russell E. Nielsen of Soap Lake was eastbound on Sagebrush Flats Road about one mile west of Road 19 NW when the vehicle apparently left the roadway on the south side shoulder. The driver overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll one and a half times and land upside down in the middle of the road about 9 p.m.

Both Nielsen and his passenger Rene Y. Howard Redd, 54 of Ephrata, were ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

Redd was declared dead at the scene.

Nielsen was transported to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata. He was later transported by MedStar ambulance to Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. According to the GCSO, Nielsen is in serious condition and is expected to survive his injuries.

Deputies determined alcohol was a factor in the collision and a blood sample was taken from Nielsen. The sample will be evaluated by the Washington State Patrol toxicologist for percentage of alcohol and drugs. If alcohol or drugs are determined present, Nielsen could be charged with vehicular homicide.

Sagebrush Flats Road was closed to traffic for several hours during the investigation.

The Tercel was totaled and towed from the scene.

— Staff report