A wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision this morning on state Highway 195, the Washington State Patrol said.
One person was in each vehicle, and both were transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center by emergency helicopters that landed on the highway.
Jennifer A. Schmidt, 30, of Spokane Valley, was northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic when her 1997 Nissan Altima struck 32-year-old Sean D. Moss’s 2009 Hyundai Sonata, a release from patrol said.
Trooper Matt Weberling said dispatchers received several 911 calls of a car traveling north in the southbound lanes of 195.
Trooper Jeff Sevigney said Schmidt is estimated to have traveled several miles going the wrong direction.
Drivers in the northbound lanes tried to warn the traffic heading south, but the wrong-way car struck the oncoming Hyundai.
Schmidt’s vehicle stopped with the rear end on top of the median cable barrier. Moss’s car came to rest in the right southbound lane.
Weberling said there were no obvious signs Schmidt was intoxicated but the accident is under investigation. He said she was alive but unresponsive when they extricated her from her car. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition and Moss has at least a severe leg fracture. He was in serious condition.
The release said both drivers were wearing seat belts.
At least 20 emergency vehicles responded to the scene near Cheney-Spokane Road.
Traffic is being diverted through a shopping area. The road is expected to be closed for several hours.
