Highway Accident Victim’s Condition In Satisfactory

All but one person injured Thursday in a four-vehicle accident north of Spokane have been released from area hospitals.

Gregory Crace, 37, of Deer Park, remained in satisfactory condition late Friday at Deaconess Medical Center. His red Ford pickup was hit head-on by a semi-truck on U.S. 395 about 12:30 p.m.

Two other cars were hit by the semi, driven by Otto Ruediger of Sumner, Wash. He was treated and released from Holy Family Hospital with an injury to his arm.

Washington State Patrol troopers said Ruediger, 57, rear-ended a northbound Dodge Daytona at the intersection of U.S. 395 and North Dragoon Creek Road, sending the smaller vehicle forward nearly 200 feet.

The Daytona’s driver, Iva Swanson, 40, and her teenage son, Travis Horner, both of Spokane, were treated and released from Deaconess Medical Center.

A second passenger in the car, Kelly Swain, 33, also suffered minor injuries.

After hitting the Daytona, troopers said the semi-truck swerved into the southbound lanes and clipped a white Geo Metro driven by David Smart, 39, of Deer Park. Then the semi hit the red pickup driven by Crace.

The force of the final collision crushed the front of the pickup and jackknifed the Freightliner, which was pulling an empty flat-bed trailer.

Troopers said it is still unclear whether citations will be issued. , DataTimes