Girl, 10, dies in car crash near Ritzville

RITZVILLE - A 10-year-old Spokane girl died Saturday in a crash near Ritzville after the vehicle she was in struck the back of a semi-trailer on Interstate 90.

Gracie E. Snider, 10, a passenger, was killed in the crash.

Just before 10:30 p.m., Nathan D. James, 38, of Spokane, was driving a 1997 Toyota Avalon east on Interstate 90 about 13 miles east of Ritzville. James was reportedly traveling in the right lane behind a 2001 Freightliner semi and box trailer, driven by Polegi L. Eneliko, 56, of Spokane Valley. James then collided with the back of the semi-trailer and both vehicles came to rest on the right shoulder at mile post 233, according to the State Patrol.

Both James and Eneliko were not injured. Snider, the 10-year-old girl who died, was one of James' passengers. The third passenger in the vehicle, Ayla H. James, 10, was injured and transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Both passengers were reportedly wearing seatbelts, according to the State Patrol.

The Toyota Avalon was reported totaled in the crash.

The crash is under investigation.