Combine accident takes Colton life

COLTON — Whitman County Sheriff’s Office has reported a Colton man died Sept. 6 following a combine incident west of Colton and Uniontown.

At 3:50 p.m., Whitman County Deputies and District 14 Fire and EMS were advised of an unconscious person who was involved in a combine accident on Bauer Road near Wolf Road, according to a media release from Undersheriff Chris Chapman.

Once deputies arrived on scene it was determined the individual had succumbed to his wounds. The investigation revealed the deceased, Brian Lee Smith, 55, had been working on the rear of the combine when the combine unexpectedly began to drive in reverse toward a drainage ditch. Witnesses indicated Smith attempted to exit the combine prior to the combine entering the drainage ditch. During Smith’s attempt to climb down the ladder to safety he stumbled onto the ground where the combine rolled over him and he suffered massive internal injuries.