Mattawa resident injured in accident

MATTAWA - A Mattawa resident was injured in a two-vehicle collision on Oct. 7.

About 4:30 p.m., Jazmin Vega, 17, of Mattawa, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on Highway 243. She reportedly slowed to make a left hand turn onto Road 26 Southwest.

As Vega stopped, her vehicle was struck in the rear by a 1993 Nissan pickup truck southbound on 243. Jose Avalos, 26, of Mattawa, was driving

The vehicles came to a rest in the road, blocking 243 until tow trucks arrived, according to the State Patrol.

Avalos was injured and was transported to Kadlec Hospital in Richland. Neither Vega nor her passenger Jonathan Gonzalez, 19, of Mattawa, were injured.

Avalos's vehicle was impounded. Vega's vehicle was damaged but driven from the scene by a private party.

The official cause was inattention, according to the patrol. Avalos was cited for following too closely and driving without valid insurance. Vega was also cited for driving without valid insurance.