2 injured in rear-end collision near Ephrata
Trooper Brian Moore/courtesy photo Two men were seriously injured in a collision near Ephrata on Tuesday.
EPHRATA — Two men were injured in a collision near Ephrata on Tuesday after a van reportedly rear-ended a farm tractor.
About 3:20 p.m. Dean Benedict, 63, of Soap Lake, was driving a farm tractor partially on the shoulder and partially in the westbound lane on state Route 28, about two miles east of Ephrata. Walter Bentley, 45, of Wenatchee, was reportedly following behind Benedict in a 1992 Chevrolet sport van with a trailer and struck the tractor in the rear. Both of the vehicles came to a rest in the westbound ditch, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Benedict and Bentley were injured in the accident and transported to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata via ambulance for treatment. Bentley’s van sustained reportable damages and was impounded. Benedict’s tractor sustained reportable damages and was towed from the scene by a private party.
The patrol reports the cause of the accident was Bentley’s inattention. Bentley was issued citations for speeding too fast for conditions and driving with a suspended or revoked license. SR-28 was closed in both directions for several hours as the accident scene was cleared and police conducted their investigation.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.