Desert Aire woman dies in vehicle accident

DESERT AIRE — A Desert Aire woman was killed when the car she was driving drifted off the road, overcorrected and was hit by another car Monday near Desert Aire.

Cricelia Zepeda Acevedo, 38, was driving north on state Route 243 near milepost 5 when she drifted off the road onto the right shoulder, according to the Washington State Patrol. Zepeda Acevedo overcorrected and crossed back across the road, where her car was hit by a southbound vehicle driven by Verlyn Coulson, 31, of Mattawa. Zepeda Acevedo was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Coulson was injured and transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Kennewick.

The accident occurred about noon, the WSP said. Both vehicles were partially blocking the southbound lane. The road was closed for about five hours.

Both cars, Zepeda Acevedo’s 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix and Coulson’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, were totaled.

- Cheryl Schweizer