Tri-Cities motorcyclist slams into car on Highway 395 north of blue bridge
A 22-year-old motorcyclist crashed into a car on Highway 395, triggering a massive traffic backup Saturday stretching from Court Street in Pasco south over the blue bridge into Kennewick.
Edward F. Ruiz of Pasco was heading north on a red Suzuki when he slammed into a gray Lexus, said the Washington State Patrol.
Troopers said Ruiz was splitting the lanes when the Lexus changed lanes and motorcycle hit the car.
Ruiz, who was wearing a helmet, was injured and taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.
The Lexus driver, Alfredo D. Yanez Avila, 21, of Kennewick, and his 20-year-old passenger were not hurt, said the WSP.
The crash happened about 4 p.m. The WSP said charges are pending further investigation.
A few hours earlier, another driver crashed a couple miles away on Highway 240 along Columbia Park.
Andrew J. Oldenburg, 44, of Pasco, was driving east in a Buick Lucerne when he lost control about noon and went off the highway near the Edison Street exit in Kennewick.
He also was taken to Kadlec hospital, said the WSP.
He is facing charges of improper lane use, said investigators.
