Two hurt in crash near Othello

OTHELLO - Two people were injured recently after three cars collided on state Route 17 about two miles north of Othello.

About 5:30 p.m., Vicente V. Aceves, 39, of Othello, was reportedly following two vehicles in his 2004 Nissan Maxima near Foley Road when he rear ended a 1996 Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry, Netzer I. Toralva, 26, of Warden, then struck a 1999 Dodge Caravan in front of him, according to the State Patrol.

Toralva reportedly moved his vehicle out of the way and Aceves then struck the Caravan. All three vehicles came to rest on the road.

Aceves was uninjured but his passenger, Luis V. Aceves, 16, of Othello, was transported by ambulance to Othello Community Hospital for unspecified injuries. Toralva was also taken by ambulance to Othello Community Hospital, according to the State Patrol.

The Caravan's driver, Julio A. Baltazar, 22, of Othello, was uninjured. His five passengers, Selso Julio-Valasquez, 45, Maximino Julio-Flores, 45, Abel Julio-Alfonso, 40, Kevin Sandoval-Salmeron, 16, and Morales R. Rodriguez, 35, all of Othello, were not injured.

The State Patrol determined Vicente Aceves, who was cited in the incident, was following too close, causing the crash.