Two crashes on I-90, one involving a semi, send people to the hospital

Two crashes on I-90 involving multiple vehicles sent several people to the hospital Saturday evening.

Around 5:30 p.m. near the exit to Thor and Freya streets, a semitruck struck three to four other cars. The collision merited a full response from the Spokane Fire Department, including three ambulances, Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said.

Firefighters at the scene had to pull at least one car apart to get an occupant out. At 6:30 p.m., one ambulance was in transit to an area hospital, Schaeffer said.

Just an hour earlier, around 4:30 p.m., firefighters responded near the Sprague Avenue eastbound exit to another pileup involving two cars, with at least three injuries, Schaeffer said.

John Yarboro, 20, was transported to a hospital and WSP recommended a charge of reckless driving in the earlier accident. Yarboro lost control and collided with the right and left side barriers and a 2015 Subaru Forester, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

The Forester driver, Stephen Gelhausen, 70, was transported to the hospital with injuries. Teresa Gelhausen, 68, was also transported to the hospital as a precaution, the report said.

“During untoward weather, it’s relatively normal for us to be on the interstate with multiple vehicle collisions, but not a day like today,” Schaeffer said.

There had been a significant amount of traffic around the time of the accidents, Schaeffer said, making him wonder whether holiday traffic for Thanksgiving week was a factor.

Maggie Quinlan can be reached at (509) 459-5135 or at maggieq@spokesman.com

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Nov. 28, 2020 to reflect that Washington State Patrol recommended the charge of reckless driving for John Yarboro. An earlier version incorrectly said he had already been charged.