Moses Lake crash leaves four injured

MOSES LAKE - A Spokane truck driver was charged with negligent driving after allegedly causing a five-vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Moses Lake, leaving himself and three others injured.

According to the State Patrol, Richard J. Cook, 63, was heading north just after noon in a 2007 International semi tractor when he struck the rear of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado stopped at the stoplight at state Route 17 and Nelson Road in Moses Lake. This action caused a chain of collisions. The Silverado was pushed into a 2011 Toyota Prius, which was then pushed into a 2013 Chrysler Minivan, which collided with a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, all of which were stopped at the stoplight.

Cook and two other drivers, Taylor W. Johnson, 27, of Connell, and Dwayne M. Gear, 63, of Corvallis, Ore., were injured and transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. Gear's passenger, Lewellyn J. Gear, 80, of Moses Lake, was also taken to Samaritan Hospital, according to the State Patrol.

Two other drivers, Hamilton M. Loomis, 28, of Katy, Texas, and Kimberly F. Huwe, 47, of Kennewick, were uninjured in the crash. All involved were reportedly wearing seatbelts.

The State Patrol determined driver inattention was the cause of the crash. Cook was cited for second-degree negligent driving.