2 from Mattawa injured in rear-ender

MATTAWA — A rear-end collision two miles south of Mattawa on Highway 243 on May 11 resulted in the injury of one of the drivers and a passenger.

Neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor, the Washington State Patrol reported. All vehicle occupants were wearing their seat belts.

According to the WSP, the early afternoon accident occurred after Rosalia Villa, 29, of Mattawa stopped the white 2013 Toyota Sienna minivan she was driving to make a left turn. Her vehicle was struck from behind by a green 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4-door driven by Asibell Torres, 17, of Mattawa.

Avila was injured and was transported by ambulance to the Wahluke Clinic in Mattawa. Her vehicle was impounded by Davis Towing of Schawana.

Torres was uninjured, the WSP reported. Her vehicle sustained reportable damage but was driven from the scene.

The second injured party was Juana Casarez-Gonzalez, 49, of Mattawa. She was a passenger in Avila’s vehicle. She was transported to Wahluke Clinic by private vehicle then transferred by ambulance to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland.

According to the WSP, Avila was driving southbound on 243 at about 1:30 when the collision occurred. Villa stopped to make a left turn onto a private road, and her vehicle was struck in the rear by the southbound Torres vehicle, which was following.

The WSP reported the cause of the collision was “following too close” by Torres. She was cited by the WSP for that infraction.