Semitruck driver airlifted to hospital after troopers say he caused three-vehicle collision on I-90 near Ritzville

An Everett semitruck driver was airlifted to a Spokane hospital Wednesday morning after his vehicle hit a rock embankment on Interstate 90 east of Ritzville, leading to a three-vehicle collision.

Bryon Steik, 35, was eastbound on I-90 near milepost 245 at about 8:30 a.m. when his semi left the road and struck the embankment in the center median before coming to a rest in the left lane of eastbound traffic, the Washington State Patrol said in a news release.

Steve Whitney, 59, of Concrete, Washington, also driving a semi truck, hit Steik in the left lane. Randy Hendrickson, 68, of Ephrata, Washington, driving a 2016 Toyota Highlander, struck the back of Hendrickson’s semi.

Neither Whitney nor Hendrickson were injured.

Steik was airlifted by Lifeflight to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with serious injuries.

The road was blocked for several hours while troopers and Washington State Department of Transportation crews cleared the scene. It was reopened at about noon, Trooper Jeff Sevigney said.

Troopers determined the cause to be driving too fast for conditions. Steik faces a possible charge of second-degree negligent driving.