Othello man airlifted to Seattle medical center following crash

OTHELLO — A local man was airlifted to a Seattle medical center Wednesday, July 22, after a crash involving a Pasco motorist.

Jose Chama Erivas, 51, of Othello, was flown to Seattle for treatment of injuries he sustained in a 10:40 p.m. crash, the Washington State Patrol reported. Jacob E. Vooge, 29, of Pasco, escaped injury.

Erivas was initially transported to a Moses Lake hospital, but was subsequently airlifted to Seattle, the patrol said.

Erivas was southbound on state Highway 17 in a 1993 Nissan truck owned by Vista Service when he crossed the centerline, the patrol reported. Vooge, who was northbound in a 2007 Kenworth tractor towning a potato trailer, swerved to avoid a crash.

Erivas' truck struck Vooge's vehicle in the side, the patrol reported. The Nissan came to rest in the northbound ditch; the tractor-trailer stopped on the southbound shoulder.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, the patrol reported.

The crash remains under investigation; the patrol has yet to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor, the patrol said. Charges are pending against Erivas.