State patrol seeking witnesses to fatal crash near Ryegrass
Trooper Brian Moore/courtesy photo Troopers are looking for witnesses to a fatal collision near Kittitas on Tuesday. A blue semi truck was involved in the collision and fled the scene.
KITTITAS — The Washington State Patrol is asking for witnesses to a fatal Tuesday morning collision near Kittitas to come forward and aid troopers in their investigation.
About 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Justin Tamez, 21, of Ellensburg, was driving a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck east on Interstate 90, near the Ryegrass rest area, when he reportedly lost control after seeing an unknown animal in the road. The truck reportedly hit a guardrail, rolled and come to a rest on its top blocking the eastbound lanes, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The truck was reportedly struck as it was upside down by a 2004 Mazda Tribute driven by Shannon Prendergast, 20, of Everett. The tailgate of the truck reportedly became lodged in the Mazda, which continued down I-90 for about 0.20 miles until it struck a fence on the right shoulder. Prendergast died as a result of the collision, according to Trooper Brian Moore.
“A short time later, unrelated to the death of the Mazda driver, an unknown blue Peterbilt semi also struck the Dodge Ram pickup still blocking the eastbound lanes. The blue ‘access door’ from the driver’s side of the Peterbilt semi was left at the scene, however the semi continued without stopping,” Moore said.
Tamez was injured in the collision and transported to Kittitas Valley Community Hospital in Ellensburg for treatment. The collision is still under investigation. The patrol is asking for help from the public in locating the semi truck. If you have information on the collision call 509-925-5303 or 509-682-8090.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.