2 men die in 2-truck crash

MATTAWA - Both drivers died when the heavy duty trucks they were driving collided head-on five miles southeast of Mattawa on May 28.

According to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, the mid-morning crash occurred after one of the trucks crossed the centerline on Road O SW at Road 27 SW. It stopped traffic on both roads.

The drivers of the gravel trucks were Bruce Patnode, 53, of Yakima and Dale Peters, 45, of Selah. Owner of the trucks was Scout Lake Construction of Selah. Both burst into flames on impact and were fully engulfed when emergency personnel arrived.

According to Barbara Davis Wilson, of Grant County Fire District No. 8, the first emergency responder to arrive on the scene was firefighter-EMT Janet Eckenberg, who lives nearby. There was nothing she could do to help either man.

"It was so hot she couldn't get near the vehicles," Wilson said.

According to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, Patnode and Peters were ejected from their trucks and died at the scene.

According to Mattawa Police Chief John Turley, who directed traffic south of the intersection, the fire produced enough heat to singe nearby trees.

"Tires were exploding, and wheels were melting," he said.

Grant County Sheriff's Deputies and emergency responders from Grant County Fire District 8 were called at about 9:30 a.m. The plume of black smoke could be seen from miles away.

According to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, investigators determined a 2007 Peterbilt dump truck, loaded with gravel and driven by Patnode, was northbound on Road O approaching Road 27 when it crossed the centerline.

Peters was southbound in a 2000 Kenworth dump truck towing a dump trailer. The trucks collided in the middle of the roadway. The Grant County Sheriff's Office Motor Traffic Unit investigated.