WSP Concerned About State Vehicles Getting Hit by Passing Drivers

The Washington State Patrol says state vehicles working on the roadway are hit by passing drivers far too often.

Last year, 126 State Patrol vehicles were hit by passing cars and trucks, with five of them taking place in North Central Washington.

The State Patrol investigated single incidents as well for Ephrata Police Department and the Sheriff's Offices in Grant, Kittitas, Douglas and Okanogan counties.

Last week, an impaired driver crashed into the back of a WSDOT protection truck on Westbound I-90 west of Ellensburg.

The Washington State Patrol and a tow truck were attempting to remove a disabled box truck that was in the median.

The WSDOT protection truck was behind a WSP patrol car with its emergency lights fully activated, when a car failed to merge into the right lane and struck the back of the protection truck.

Trooper John Bryant with Washington State Patrol says there were earlier reports of erratic driving before the crash. "One vehicle went past the DOT, and passed the first pick up at a high rate of speed. This vehicle was earlier reported as erratic. I just talked to one of the troopers who was on the scene. The vehicle was probably traveling between 60 and 70 mph."

According to Bryant, the protection vehicle was parked in the left lane indicating a lane closure with all of its emergency lights and safety devices deployed.

Bryant says that drivers need to pay attention to the road and DOT signs indicating road closures to prevent accidents and injuries. Distracted drivers are just as dangerous on the road as those who are impaired. "Instead of looking down at things you shouldn't be looking at-Your phone, your radio, your food-Whatever it is in your car, you should be looking up ahead at what's going on. You know- Look at the signs." Bryant said.

The driver of the car was taken to a nearby hospital in Ellensburg with minor shoulder injuries, then cited for DUI.

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