Head-on Collision South of Orondo Results in DUI, Long Delays

A head-on collision resulted in long delays on Highway 2 south of Orondo Thursday around 4:30 pm.

Washington State Patrol Trooper John Bryant said 62-year-old Patrick Brighton of Chelan Falls was driving a Cadillac Seville northbound when he crossed into the southbound lane, striking a Chevy Silverado pickup head on.

Bryant said, "It was determined that the driver of the Cadillac Seville was under the influence. Since the passenger in the pickup had suffered injuries, (deputies) charged the driver of the Seville not just with DUI but with vehicular assault, which is basically DUI and you're adding that injury on that he caused."

Brighton was also charged with driving without a license and driving without insurance.

Brighton and the Silverado's passenger were transported to Central Washington Hospital.

Another accident would occur in the ensuing backup a short time later when an Acura struck the back end of a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, causing a minor injury.

"It's just one of those things that when you get in one of these backups, you've got to pay attention all the time because you don't know when traffic is going to go or not." explained Bryant, "Usually when you have these types of things someone's following too close, or if they're in these backups, they're not paying attention. They're looking at their phone, they're looking at anything else but the road."

The roadway was totally blocked for about 25 minutes and was fully open after about three hours.