Man cited for DUI after accident causes fire

SOAP LAKE — A Tacoma man was allegedly intoxicated when he crashed his vehicle north of Soap Lake Wednesday. The accident caused a 15-acre brush fire alongside state Route 17 and prompted the closure of the highway for several hours.

About 1:10 p.m. Larry Bach, 55, of Tacoma, was driving a 1991 Chevrolet pickup truck north on state Route 17, about 10 miles north of Soap Lake, when he reportedly crossed over the center line. Bach’s vehicle left the road, went up an embankment, rolled and came to a rest blocking the southbound SR-17 lane. Bach was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the truck, according to the Washington State Patrol.

He was initially taken to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata for treatment, but was later airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. There were two dogs in the truck at the time of the accident, both of which were ejected from the vehicle. One of the dogs died at the scene from injuries, according to Soap Lake Police Department Sgt. Ryan Cox.

Bach was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the accident and was cited for DUI, according to the patrol. The accident caused a brush fire alongside SR-17, with the highway closed between Soap Lake and Moore Road as crews with Grant County Fire Districts 7, 13 and the Coulee City Fire Department worked to contain the fire.

SR-17 was opened to one lane with alternating traffic about 2:30 p.m. and later opened to both lanes. The blaze was determined to be under control about 3 p.m., with crews able to contain the fire to about 15 acres.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.