Warden man dies in Moses Lake accident

MOSES LAKE — A 75-year-old Warden man died in a two-vehicle collision near Moses Lake Wednesday.

About 3:30 p.m. Ken Hash, 75, of Warden, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu north on Road Q Northeast, near Moses Lake, when he reportedly did not stop at the Road 3 Northeast intersection. The driver’s door of the Malibu was reportedly struck by a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Charles Finch, 60, of Warden, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Hash was killed on impact. Finch was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment, where he was last reported to be in serious condition. Finch’s passenger, identified as Mary G. Finch, 34, of Warden, was initially transported to Samaritan Hospital, but was later transferred to Providence-Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. She was last reported to be in serious condition.

The sheriff’s office reports none of the people involved in the collision were wearing seatbelts and driver inattention is the cause of the collision. Alcohol and drugs reportedly did not play a role in the collision.

"I was saddened when I learned of this collision, the death of Ken Hash and the injuries suffered by Charles Finch and Mary Grace Finch," Sheriff Tom Jones said. "Rural roadway intersections can be deceiving sometimes, and I ask motorists to please use extra care."

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Motor Traffic Unit is investigating the collision.

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