UPDATE: Chain-reaction collision clogs traffic near blue bridge

A six-car, chain-reaction collision behind a semi-truck and tractor clogged the southbound lanes of Highway 395 heading toward Kennewick at 11 a.m. Monday.

One of the six drivers involved was injured and taken to Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Traffic already was congested as only one southbound lane was open while work was being done on the blue bridge.

Traffic was backed up for several miles in the southbound lanes just north of the Court Street overpass after the crash, according to witnesses. Cars were able to get by on the right shoulder, according to state Trooper Chris Thorson.

A Dodge pickup driven by Eric Hitt, 43, of Pasco, hit the back of a Lexus driven by Steve Liebrecht, 59, of Connell, when the Lexus slowed for traffic.

That led to a chain reaction with four more vehicles being hit in the line of southbound traffic. They included another pickup, a Honda Pilot, a Subaru Forrester and a semi towing a trailer at the front of the line.

Liebrecht was taken to the hospital, according to the state patrol.

The state patrol planned to charge Hitt with second-degree negligent driving and blamed the crash on inattention.

Work will continue on the blue bridge, reducing traffic to one lane, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day through Thursday.

This story was originally published September 24, 2018 at 11:35 AM.