Highway 26 crash kills two

Two Western Washington residents were killed Friday afternoon in an automobile collision on state Highway 26 in southern Adams County. Three other people were injured in the accident, which involved three cars shortly before 2 p.m. near the city of Washtucna.

The Washington State Patrol reported that a 1994 Dodge Caravan, driven by Matthew S. Andresen, 56, of Redmond, Wash., was headed westbound near milepost 75 when it crossed the centerline and struck a 2006 Ford pickup truck driven by Mark A. Lawson, 39, of Soap Lake.

Andresen died at the scene. Also killed was Taryn L. Gillies, 18, of Bellevue, a passenger in the Caravan.

Two other passengers in Andresen’s vehicle were injured and airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center. Deborah K. Turner, 55, was listed in satisfactory condition Saturday, while Callie B. Turner, 17, was listed in serious condition, a hospital spokesman said.

The driver of a third vehicle, Michael A. Turner, 46, of Soap Lake, also was injured and taken by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital in Ritzville, according to the state patrol. Michael Turner, who was not wearing a seat belt, swerved his 2005 GMC pickup truck to avoid the Caravan, then struck the Ford truck, police said.

Michael Turner was not listed as a patient Saturday, a nurse said. Lawson was not injured.