WSP: Speeding caused weekend fire truck rollover near Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Sunday’s rollover of a fire truck belonging to Grant County Fire District No. 10 occurred because the vehicle was traveling too fast for conditions, according to the Washington State Patrol.

First responders were dispatched shortly before noon Sunday to the area of Road I Northwest and state Route 26, about two miles west of Royal City, for reports of the rollover.

The water tender, driven by Samantha Wright, 30, of Royal City, was traveling south on Road I Northwest at too fast a speed to compensate for the 750 gallons of water stored in the vehicle, said Washington State Patrol Trooper John Bryant.

The vehicle’s brakes locked up, causing the vehicle to roll until it came to a rest on the driver’s side, blocking the southbound lanes of Road I Northwest, according to a press release.

Wright had to be extricated from the fire truck by fellow firefighters and was transported to Samaritan Hospital for her injuries, which the Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported were minor.

A substantial amount of water spilled out onto the roadway from an opening at the top of the tank, Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman said Monday. A power line was taken out by the fire that Wright was responding to, knocking out power for around three hours for customers west of Royal City.

Possible charges against Wright are pending an investigation of the incident, Bryant said. Representatives with Grant County Fire District No. 10 were not immediately available for comment.

Emry Dinman may be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com