Car Rolls, Teen Hurt After Tire Blows Out

A blown-out tire landed an Otis Orchards teenager in the hospital after an accident near Ritzville on Saturday afternoon.

Jessica L. Molarski, 19, was in serious condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center late Saturday. She suffered head injuries and a broken leg and collar bone and was airlifted to Sacred Heart from Ritzville Hospital.

Molarski was a passenger in a 1961 Ford station wagon driven by Lee W. Smith, 19, of Spokane. The left rear tire blew out about 3 p.m. on Interstate 90, 10 miles east of Ritzville, the Washington State Patrol reported.

The car rolled over once and came to rest on its wheels.

A second passenger, Melissa D. Anderson, 19, of Newman Lake, suffered bumps and bruises and was treated at Ritzville Hospital and released.

Smith was not hurt.

All three wore seat belts.