Three injured in crash on Highway 17

CONNELL — Three motorists were transported to a Pasco hospital this morning, Aug. 5, following a crash on state Highway 17.

Luis F. Ramos, 21, of Connell, Hector P. Martinez, 59, of Othello, and Elizabeth A. House, 39, of West Richland, were all transported to the the hospital, the Washington State Patrol reported. Ramas was taken to a Pasco hospital, while Martinez was taken to one in Othello and House was transported to a Richland hospital.

The crash occurred at 6:52 a.m., the patrol reported.

Ramos was southbound in a 2009 Honda Accord about nine miles north of the city when the driver in front of him, Martinez, stopped his 2010 Ford F-150 to make a left turn onto Paradise Road, the patrol reported. Ramos rear-ended Martinez.

The pickup was then pushed into the northbound lane, where it struck House's 2018 Ford F-150, the patrol reported.

All three drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash; neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor, the patrol said.

Ramos was cited for second-degree negligent driving, the patrol said, noting the cause of the crash was speed too fast for conditions.

Mesa Crossroads Towing towed all three vehicles from the crash scene.