Slush, speed blamed for N. Spokane accident

A combination of slush on the highway and driving too fast for conditions were blamed for a traffic accident this morning that injured a 40-year-old driver, the Washington State Patrol reported. Judy L. Parker, of Deer Park, was taken by ambulance to Providence Holy Family Hospital after she was struck by another vehicle that had lost control just before 5 a.m., troopers said. The driver of that vehicle, Gary R. Beck, 59, of Colbert, was headed north on U.S. Highway 395 at the Little Spokane River Bridge when he lost control on the slush and slid into compression barrels placed there as part of a long-term construction detour. Beck’s 1997 Toyota RAV4 rotated into the southbound lane where it collided with Parker’s 2003 Chevrolet passenger car. Beck, who was not injured, was cited for driving too fast under the conditions. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.