September 19, 2009 in News, City

Two killed in head-on collision

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Two Lewiston residents died Saturday when their car collided head-on with another attempting a pass on State Route 127 seven miles south of Dusty, in Whitman County.

Ronald Gary West, 64, was the driver and Frances Mary West, 72, the passenger in a 2007 Toyota Camry. They were headed northbound around 11:30 a.m. when a southbound 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Victor Jacob Marly pulled out to pass another vehicle, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The Wests died at the scene.

Marly, of Milton-Freewater, Ore., was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was listed in satisfactory condition. He will be charged with vehicular homicide for disregarding the safety of others.

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Four comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  jkh2000 on September 19 at 8:42 p.m.

  As one of the first medical people on the scene this was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided. When will common sense driving be a required thing and not the invincible driving that we have seen today. The couple had no chance on the blind corner to avoid being hit. With double yellow lines you would think that a certain law that is in effect would have crossed your mind. This young man will pay for this the rest of his life for a moments lack of sense.

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  monkeyman on September 20 at 1:29 a.m.

  jkh2000, thank you for filling in some of the information missing in the story.

  When I originally read the article, I was trying to imagine as to what may have happened. I even looked up the map searching for the location mentioned. It seems that it may have happened on the curve where the SR-127 veers westbound.

  The story mentions that the SUV driver will be charged, but doesn't give a reason (other than the fact about what happened to the people in the other car). Ignoring no passing zone on a blind curve is indeed one of the more dangerous things one can possibly do on the road.

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  Thedan on September 20 at 1:50 a.m.

  First off: My prayers go out to all of the families involved. I know how difficult it is to lose a loved one. I have also had the unfortunate experience in having a close friend be the driver in a similar accident. jkh2000… You state “This young man will have to pay for this…” I know first hand that when a driver is responsible for the accidental death of a person, they pay for it ways you can't imagine; and that's outside any legal ways. I'm certainly not saying that it's ok what happened. My heart goes out to the surviving friends and family of the couple that lost their life. I just hope that we don't lose sight that this was not intentional. I'm sure the driver who survived will be paying for this for the rest of his life regardless of what the judicial penalties are.

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  two bit on September 20 at 6:33 a.m.

  I must say this is a waste of life. Just yesterday a person from Idaho was heading home just south of the town of Mica their was a fuel tanker ahead of me and this person with plates that say ELKHNTR4 passed me on a double line and hill. It was just seconds that the person heading North did not die like these poor folks. But I am sorry that these people have to be in such a hurry to kill them selves or and some one else. If the couple in the north bound lane in this case would have started their trip about 5 seconds earlier they would have had a sad ending. This was on State Hi way 27. We all see these near misses and need to not be in such a hurry. My grandfather when ask about life as he was in his 90's his reply was what was all the hurry about.

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