4 Hospitalized After 4-Car Crash

A four-car collision on eastbound Interstate 90 near Liberty Lake totaled three vehicles and sent four people to the hospital Monday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The chain-reaction began when a 1997 Ford Taurus traveling westbound in the inside lane wandered onto the shoulder, overcorrected and crossed the median. It entered the eastbound inside lane and was struck by a 1987 Saab and a 1992 Ford pickup truck. A 1990 Toyota pickup truck then hit the Ford, which was sitting sideways in the outside lane, according to WSP officials.

The driver of the Taurus, 35-year-old Doreen D. Porter of Utah, was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center with neck and back pain. The driver of the Toyota pickup, 38-year-old Ron N. Meredith of Post Falls, was taken to Kootenai Medical Center with neck and wrist injuries.

Two passengers in the Ford pickup also were taken to Kootenai Medical Center. Brian K. Hatcher, 30, of Idaho, suffered a broken elbow. Robert G. Boone, 34, also of Idaho, was treated for cuts and scrapes.

The drivers of the Saab and the Ford pickup were not hurt.

All of the vehicles, except the Saab, were totaled, according to the WSP. The Saab suffered $5,000 in damage.

, DataTimes