Three injured in three-car collision near Royal City

ROYAL CITY — A 37-year-old Royal City man was hospitalized after his car was rear-ended by a suspected impaired driver the morning of Nov. 30 near Royal City, the Grant County Sheriff’s office reported.

According the GCSO, Octavio Calderon, eastbound on Road 12 in Honda, was stopped in the roadway waiting to make a left turn onto Road A Southwest. Florentino Gutierrez, 49 of Royal City, driving a 1999 Nissan Frontier pickup east on Road 12 Southwest, failed to stop, and the pickup struck the Honda from behind.

Gutierrez was witnessed traveling at a high rate of speed as he neared the intersection with Road A SW, the GCSO reported. As the Honda rotated, it was struck once more by a 2006 Ford F-150 driven by Shannon Maginn, 56 of Royal Camp.

Calderon was transported by ambulance to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake with fractures to his hand. Maginn was treated and released at the scene.

Grant County Fire Districts 10 and 11 from Royal City also answered the call and provided aid to the collision victims.

Gutierrez was transported to Othello Community Hospital where he was found to be impaired. Deputies subsequently found probable cause for arrest, and Gutierrez was taken into custody.

Gutierrez was later transported to the Grant County Jail, where he was processed and booked for DUI. Charges of vehicular assault are being sought due to the Calderon’s injuries.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Motor Traffic Unit is continuing its investigation.