In brief: Driver in head-on had fallen asleep

The head-on collision in Whitman County that killed one and injured five others was caused by a 21-year-old driver who fell asleep at the wheel, the Washington State Patrol said Saturday.

Susie S. Koontz, 93, was declared dead at the scene on State Route 26 near LaCrosse, Wash. Koontz was riding in an eastbound Toyota Prius when a westbound Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Diana Chun drifted off the road and then swerved into the opposing lane and struck the Prius.

Chun, of Coulee Dam, and her passenger Erick J. Quezada Bastida, 21, of Pullman, were taken to Whitman County hospital in Colfax. Also injured in the accident were the driver of the Prius, Mary E. Koontz, 59, of Seattle, who was airlifted to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland; and her passengers Cordelia E. Burris, 61, of Newcastle, Wash., and Judith A. Koontz, 63, of Bellingham, who were airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m.

Investigators seek stabbing case clues

Spokane police are seeking information about possible evidence in the slaying of Sharlotte McGill.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who knows about a car battery stolen within a few days prior to Thursday at about 8 a.m. from the area of 1800 E. South Riverton.

The battery was located at the scene of the attack on McGill, 55, who was stabbed repeatedly by a stranger while she walked her dog on a trail along the Spokane River.

Police think the battery may be associated with the perpetrator. Please contact Crimestoppers at (800) 233-TIPS with any information.