West Richland woman, baby seriously hurt in Highway 395 crash. Neither was buckled

A woman and a 9-month-old were seriously hurt after an early Monday crash at Highway 395 and 240 in Kennewick.

Cassandra C. Welch, 22, of West Richland, was turning from Highway 240 to head north on Highway 395 at 1:10 a.m. when she lost control of the car, the Washington State Patrol said.

The car hit a jersey barrier and then went across lanes and slammed into a guard rail.

Welch and the 9-month-old were not buckled in, according to the state patrol.

Investigators are not sure what caused the crash or why the child wasn’t secured, Trooper Chris Thorson said.

Welch was initially taken to Trios Southridge Hospital and later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She was in serious condition Tuesday in the intensive care unit, said hospital officials.

The 9-month-old was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

The child’s condition was not available Tuesday.

This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 12:30 PM.