Four injured in alleged DUI-caused collision

Four people from Pasco were injured Monday morning in an alleged DUI-caused collision on state Route 17, about 7 miles north of Othello.

Daniel C. Garcia, 23, of Pasco, was driving a blue 2001 Ford Expedition north on state Route 17 just before 5:41 a.m. behind a silver 2009 Nissan Murano, driven by Luis M. Solano Rafael, 19, of Mesa, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Garcia lost control of his vehicle, over-corrected and the right rear of the Ford struck the front left of the Nissan, causing both vehicles to leave the road on the right. The Ford came to rest on its top and the Nissan on its wheels.

Garcia was taken to Samaritan Hospital for his injuries and may face charges of DUI and vehicular assault, the WSP stated. Two of his passengers, Laura Gutierrez, 20, of Pasco, and Denise Gutierrez Guzman, 18, of Pasco, were flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, respectively, for their injuries. A third passenger, Monserrat Ramirez Perez, 18, of Pasco, was taken to Othello Community Hospital for her injuries.

Solano Rafael and his passengers, Manuel Dejesus, 34, and Tabien Morales, 30, both of Mesa, were not injured.

Everyone wore seat belts. Both vehicles were totaled.