One dies, 3 injured in I-90 Christmas crash

VANTAGE – One man died, and three people were hurt in a Christmas evening crash on Interstate 90 between Vantage and George.

The 7:26 p.m. collision, around the bend from the Wildhorse Monument at milepost 142, involved two cars and one truck. One of the cars was traveling east in the westbound lanes and struck the other two.

According to the Washington State Patrol, that vehicle was driven by Lee A. Gibson, 63, of Ellensburg. He died at the scene, and he was not wearing a seatbelt. His 1993 Nissan Sentra was removed by Quincy Towing.

The driver of the westbound 2011 Kenworth truck and trailer was Randy S. Budau, 46, of Spokane. He used his seatbelt but was injured.

Budau was transported by ambulance to Quincy Valley Hospital. His truck was removed from the scene by Davis Towing of Schawana.

The driver of the westbound car was Krystal F. Kelly, 18, of Spokane. She was wearing her seatbelt.

Kelly was taken to Quincy Valley Hospital by ambulance. Her 2001 Dodge Stratus was removed by Quincy Towing.

Also injured was Jack R. Aldrich, 18, of Spokane, a passenger in Kelly's car. He was transported to Quincy Valley Hospital by ambulance. He was wearing his seatbelt.

The cause of the collision was still under investigation as of Dec. 27. It was not known if drugs or alcohol were a factor.