Tree falls on pickup on I-90, killing two
A large tree fell onto Interstate 90 east of the Snoqualmie Pass summit Friday, killing two men, the Washington State Patrol said.
Two other men in the 1990 Chevrolet pickup were unhurt, including a son of the driver.
The State Patrol identified the two killed as Joseph J. Kerns, 49, who was driving, and front-seat passenger Alex M. Minneman, 22, and the survivors, who were sitting in the pickup’s jump seat, as Abraham Kerns, 19, and Jonathan Burrell, 23, all of Puyallup.
It happened shortly before 7 a.m. about 12 miles east of the summit, when a tree on the south side of the interstate fell across the eastbound lanes, crushing the front of the truck’s cab.
Trooper Jeff Merrill described the tree as more than 100 feet tall. It was not immediately clear what caused it to fall.
– Associated Press
Spokane
Parkway reopens after repairs finished
The Aubrey L. White Parkway from Downriver Golf Course to the Riverside Park Water Reclamation facility reopened Friday afternoon.
Heavy rainfall caused a sewer pipe to overflow Wednesday night, sending storm water and sewage down a hillside in northwest Spokane, which undermined the road, officials said.
A temporary patch has been installed, and crews will return Monday to do final cleanup.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Card game argument leads to stabbing
A 19-year-old Spokane man was stabbed early Friday after a card game led to an argument.
Marvin S. Butterfly, 22, of Wellpinit, Wash., was booked into Spokane County Jail on a charge of second-degree attempted murder, said Spokane Police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. The 19-year-old was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The two men were playing cards at a house in the 4900 block of North Warren about 4 a.m., DeRuwe said. The game turned to fighting, and the 19-year-old was stabbed several times in the arm and back.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Loon Lake
Two hurt when pickup slides off highway
Two Chewelah residents were injured when their vehicle slid off state Highway 395 near Loon Lake about 11 a.m. Friday.
John Britschgi, 84, and Glenice Britschgi, 70, were traveling southbound about seven miles north of Loon Lake when John Britschgi lost control of the 2003 Ford pickup, which slid across the icy road, rolled, and came to rest on its wheels, the Washington State Patrol said Friday.
John Britschgi was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah. His condition was unavailable Friday night. Glenice Britschgi was in serious condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. Both were wearing seat belts.
– Richard Miller