Goldmark, others hurt when his pickup hits tractor

Former congressional candidate Peter Goldmark and his wife were injured in a highway accident Monday that resulted in the driver of the other vehicle being airlifted to a Spokane hospital.

Colville Tribal Police Chief Rory Gilliland said Goldmark was driving his pickup truck north on Highway 155 about 10 miles from Nespelem about 8 p.m. Monday when he attempted to pass a tractor driven by Lloyd C. Olbright.

Olbright was legally on the road, moving the tractor from one field to the other, Gilliland said, but Goldmark told investigating officers the tractor turned left unexpectedly in front of him. Goldmark was unable to stop, and the two vehicles collided.

Both the pickup and the tractor were heavily damaged in the accident. Goldmark, 61, and his wife Wendy Goldmark, 52, were treated and released from Coulee Community Hospital. Olbright, 69, of Elmer City, was airlifted from Coulee Community Hospital to Sacred Heart, where he was listed in serious condition.

No citations were issued in the crash. Goldmark ran unsuccessfully against Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers last year and on Monday confirmed he is planning to run in next year’s Democratic primary for state commissioner of public lands.