Soap Lake, Ephrata drivers injured

SOAP LAKE – An Ephrata man and a Soap Lake woman were injured in a rear-ender accident on Highway 28 near Soap Lake on March 12.

The mishap occurred at around 4 p.m. Neither drugs nor alcohol were involved, and seat belts were in use, the Washington State Patrol said. Both injured drivers were taken to Columbia Basin Hospital.

According to the WSP, Linda Ann Mitchell, 63, of Soap Lake and her 1994 Buick LeSabre were stopped in the roadway eastbound, waiting to make a left turn onto Dry Coulee Road.

They were struck from behind by a 2011 Ford Explorer driven by David R. Ponozzo, 52, of Ephrata, the WSP said. After the collision, the Ponozzo car continued on, finishing off the roadway.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene.