Semi drives through two Palouse-area homes

A semi-tractor trailer destroyed two homes Wednesday morning outside of Colfax when the driver fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the highway, troopers with the Washington State Patrol said.

The incident occurred Wednesday just after 8 a.m., about one mile west of Colfax on State Route 26, near mile marker 131.

Trooper Brandon Kendall said the driver, a 41-year-old man, and his wife, 38, both from Las Vegas, were hauling a full load of Kirkland toilet paper from Tacoma to Clarkston when the man fell asleep.

Kendall said the 2018 Heartland Express semi the man was driving left the roadway, sped down an embankment, drove through one house, down another steep hill, and finally came to a stop in what used to be the living room of another residence.

Kendall said the driver’s wife was also asleep in the back of the truck when the crash occurred.

He said the truck also collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2018 Toyota Tacoma that had been parked outside of the second residence.

The contents of both houses were scattered through the yards. Drywall, broken glass and insulation were mixed in with clothes, tables, and other household items.

The owner of the first residence was outside mowing his lawn when the truck skidded through his house, Kendall said.

“Luckily, the owner was not inside watching TV or something because he probably wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Both the driver of the semi tractor-trailer and his wife were transported to the Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax as a precaution. Neither suffered any serious injuries and were discharged by Wednesday afternoon. No one else was injured in the collision.