5 hurt in Benton County crash

State troopers suspect alcohol was involved in a Sunday night crash that hurt five people along Highway 24 in northern Benton County.

A child was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where some of the state’s most serious trauma cases are treated.

Oscar L. Verduzco, 46, of Othello, was driving an SUV east around 9:30 p.m. on the highway when he tried to turn around near Vernita, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Verduzco then struck a Toyota Corolla driven by Gabriela G. Olivares Angure, 20, of Mattawa, who was going west.

Angure’s passengers — Jesus Rangel, 23, of Mattawa, and the child — were hurt.

Rangel is in stable condition at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, the state patrol said. No age was given for the child, and a condition was not available.

Angure was treated at Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick.

Verduzco and his passenger, Miriam J. McEwen, 32, of Othello, were treated at Kadlec and released.

Verduzco was booked Monday into the Benton County jail on suspicion of vehicular assault and DUI.

This story was originally published July 23, 2018 at 2:31 PM.