Why did the cars crash near Prosser? A skunk was crossing the road

A driver trying to avoid a skunk in the roadway caused a two-car crash Saturday evening on Interstate 82 near Prosser.

Mayra Mejia, 19, was cited for making an unsafe lane change in the 7:17 p.m. wreck.

A Washington State Patrol report said that the Grandview woman was westbound in a 2014 Nissan Altima when she saw the animal and swerved.

Her sedan ended up striking another 2014 Nissan Altima. That car, driven by Maria D. Sandoval, crossed the highway median and came to a stop in oncoming traffic.

Sandoval, 28, of Sunnyside was taken to PMH Medical Center in Prosser.

Three children in Sandoval’s car, between the ages of 2 and 11, were not injured.

Mejia and her 21-year-old passenger also did not require treatment, a state patrol report said.

This story was originally published December 17, 2017 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Why did the cars crash near Prosser? A skunk was crossing the road."