10 injured in two head-on crashes on US 97 within 24 hours

Two head-on accidents on two-lane U.S. Highway 97, along the east side of the Columbia River, within 24 hours over this past weekend.

Six people were injured Saturday afternoon after a head-on collision on the highway, north of the Beebe Bridge.

Washington State Patrol Troopers say Jackson Mallory, 22, of Seattle crossed the center line and struck a northbound pickup head-on. Mallory was airlifted by Life Flight to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane with serious injuries. The driver of the truck, Antonietta Ramirez-Garcia, 31, of Bridgeport, and four children riding with her — ages 14, 11, 10, and 10 months — were all transported to Lake Chelan Hospital for evaluation and treatment. One of the juveniles was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Then, Sunday afternoon at 1:28 p.m., a 21-year old man from Lake Stevens lost control of his car on highway 97 and crossed over into the oncoming lane, striking a one-ton pick-up, which rolled onto its top. The driver of the truck, Joe Eaton, 42, of Orondo, and passengers Brittany Eaton, 32, and two youths, ages 12 and 14 were injured and taken to Confluence Health Hospital for treatment of injuries.

###

Traffic advisory: Knapps Hill Tunnel on highway 97A will briefly close on Monday for inspection of its new lighting system.

In September, the Washington Department of Transportation installed 160 new bulbs with new wiring and conduits that adjust to the level of daylight outside and a backup system in case of blackouts. The project was meant to better illuminate the tunnel for drivers. 

Travelers between Entiat and Chelan on Monday will be detoured on Highway 971. The closure will begin at noon and is expected to not last more than two hours.