3 killed in head-on crash near Kingston
KINGSTON, Wash. -- Three people were killed Wednesday night in a head-on crash near Kingston.
Washington State Patrol troopers say the crash happened just after 7 p.m. on State Route 104 at milepost 22.5.
A 59-year-old woman in a black Lexus was westbound on SR 104 when witnesses say she crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a red Ford Escort.
A man and woman -- both 44 years old -- inside the Escort died at the scene, as did the woman who was driving the Lexus, according to WSP Trooper Russ Winger. There were no survivors.
"It's a pretty good impact up there," Winger said. "It's pretty much head-on. There's some rotation on vehicles indicating they had pretty solid impact. It's pretty grisly"
All three victims were from the north end, and Winger said the woman in the Lexus had just dropped off her grandchild prior to the crash.
The crash happened west of Kingston near Balmoral Place NE, and that stretch of the highway was closed for several hours while troopers investigated the crash.
Washington State Patrol troopers say the crash happened just after 7 p.m. on State Route 104 at milepost 22.5.
A 59-year-old woman in a black Lexus was westbound on SR 104 when witnesses say she crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a red Ford Escort.
A man and woman -- both 44 years old -- inside the Escort died at the scene, as did the woman who was driving the Lexus, according to WSP Trooper Russ Winger. There were no survivors.
"It's a pretty good impact up there," Winger said. "It's pretty much head-on. There's some rotation on vehicles indicating they had pretty solid impact. It's pretty grisly"
All three victims were from the north end, and Winger said the woman in the Lexus had just dropped off her grandchild prior to the crash.
The crash happened west of Kingston near Balmoral Place NE, and that stretch of the highway was closed for several hours while troopers investigated the crash.
Really sad to see a lot of  you only care to blame it on texting and driving rather than even having one ounce of compassion for the 3 people that died and their families. I know the older woman that died. She left behind a husband children and several grandchildren. Instead of making assumptions about what happened you should be praying for those families that suffered a great loss.Â
I know her step daughter has seen the horrible comments you have made and it has upset the family. If you don't have something nice to say then keep it to yourself. All your doing is hurting those families that are all ready in pain.Â
Why don't you guys have some respect for the families that lost their loved ones! Stop jump to conclusion, even if she was text which I'm sure she wasn't it don't matter now they are gone? So grow up and keep u mouth shut unless you know what really happened! Get a life and stop putting comments on here that hurt their loved ones
People, you need to be less judgmental and more compassionate. Highly unlikely that the woman who caused the accident was texting. A husband lost his wife, some sons lost their Mother and at least one grand daughter lost her much loved Grandma. There are many other circumstances that could have been the scenerio. Please let the police and medical examiner do there job. There are two families out there that have lost 3 people and especially at the holiday time it is very difficult. Praying for the families is a nice thought.
So tragic. My goodness... accidents like this affect so many lives for years to come. My condolences.
Once again the human race shows out how STUPID we really are!
 @reelin21 Wow, extremely rude, cold, and callous.
Yeah right, heart attack!! Try texting!! 99% plus 1% are always crossing the line texting!! Kids and adults!! It sucks!!! There should be a law agains driving while talking on the telephone. It's one thing to talk and a whole different ball game trying to fricken text out words like you're typing as your driving...........Ooooops over the line and 3 dead!
 @reelin21 this was a really good family friend that died and crossed the center line she doesnt even text so think again!!!
Might not have been texting...it could have been a heart attack or a lot of other possibilities. We won't know for sure until the investigation is over...
Bet she was texting and driving. Maybe the police should worry more about that!
Man, people say a woman in her 50's wouldn't do something like text and drive. As if a woman in her 50's is all that old.Â
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My neighbor is almost 70. When we've gone out fishing he's made and taken phone calls and has texted on his i-phone. That's like saying a teen ager wouldn't drink and drive because he/she isn't 21.
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Again, my condolences to the families.
How sad for all the families involved. There are more and more deaths on the road these days, from people crossing the line and obliterating the oncoming car and/or themselves. I'm a very good driver, I try to always stay alert and attentive to the job at hand.
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But when someone is coming at you in a giant hunk of steel, at speeds you won't survive, it's getting scary to drive out there.
If there was an unavoidable health issue, then it's all the more sad. But, I hope this woman who crossed into oncoming traffic wasn't doing something stupid that took away her attention. It won't bring anyone back, but if it could have been avoided, there's yet another example of why we need to collectively watch what we are doing when we are behind the wheel.
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Nothing is more important than driving, when your car is in motion. Nothing. If something is about to distract you, pull over and bring the damn car to a stop.
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Yikes. No survivors.. thats brutal!. =(
 @Erxkeel It is, but if I were driving I don't think I'd want to survive a wreck that killed my passenger(s), even if it were in no way my fault or avoidable.Â
I know the older woman that passed. She was my daughters grandmother. We think she may have had a heart attack but won't know anything for a few days. Her family needs all the prayers they can get. a wife mother and grandmother was lost last night. Â Along with the two other people that passed. I'm sure there family could use your prayers as well.Â
I see it only took three comments to have someone say "texting while driving." Every time there's word of a wreck, someone feels the need to spew negativity about texting or some other kind of "driver negligent" remark. Do you feel better about yourself with your armchair prognostications? How about some compassion for the families of these victims? Until you know something, keep your trap shut. I seriously doubt a 59 year old woman was texting in the dark while driving. Most women of a certain age can't see the screen well enough without reading glasses anyway.
 @Qchris I've almost been hit numerous times by people texting.  It's rampant. It's not just teens. Usually it's women.  I've had to honk at people in the lanes next to me because they were texting and weaving into the other lanes. I've seen people reading while driving lately, too.  But texting is rampant, and it DOES cause thousands of fatal accidents. Â
@Qchris This was either driver negligence or a medical issue. Competent & attentive drivers in good health don't cross the centerline & collide head-on with other cars.
 @katiemcc  @Qchris there is the possibility of swerving to miss a deer or dog. there are a lot of reasons. maybe she fell asleep.  why even come up with stuff.  I feel bad for the families.  Can we all pray for them?
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Why is it so evil to speculate this? I see it going on all the time.
yes, sad for the families.
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I wonder if this is another case of texting while driving. I see the activity daily during my 50+ mile commute. People who can't stay in their lane, slowing down and speeding up, almost rear ending cars in front, and worse of all, crossing the centerline.
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Condolences to the families.Â
It will be a good day when vehicles drive themselves without human intervention.
 @Chico maximum overdrive
Oh how sad, I hope no one felt any pain and went quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. This will be a day the granddaughter will cherish forever, knowing she was the last one to spend time with grandma. I hope she finds peace in her memory, as well as everyone else. R.I.P. everyone