Royal man injured in crash with truck

ROYAL CITY — A Royal City man was injured Saturday morning, March 18, about 1.5 miles east of Royal City when his car collided with a truck.

Taken to Samaritan Hospital by ambulance was 19-year-old Jesus Miron of Royal City. The Washington Patrol reported that Miron fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the truck.

The collision occurred just before 9 a.m. near milepost 19. Neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor, the WSP said. Miron and the driver of the truck were properly restrained.

Braulio J. Contreras Araujo, 27, of Desert Aire, was driving a 1997 Peterbilt tractor pulling a semi trailer westbound on Highway 26 when it was struck. The Miron vehicle, a green 1995 Honda Accord four-door was trailing the truck, and Miron fell asleep, the state patrol said.

The vehicles came to rest partially blocking the westbound lane. There was damage to the trailer, but the truck was driven from the scene. Miron’s vehicle was impounded to Royal City.

The WSP cited Miron for “negligent driving second degree.”