Wrong-way driver leads to blue bridge crashes

A driver going the wrong way on Highway 395 set off a chain of crashes on the blue bridge Tuesday night.

The driver in a dark pickup likely got on the highway going south in the northbound lanes at the Court Street exit, state Trooper Chris Thorson said.

The unknown driver tried to made a U-turn on the bridge, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Three cars crashed trying to avoid the pickup.

• Esten E. Dunham, 29, of Kennewick, was in a Honda Accord.
• Brett W. Bowen, 32, of Pasco, was in a Volkswagen Jetta.
• Yolanda Vazquez, 32, of Pasco, drove a Nissan Maxima.

Vazquez told the Herald she was the first to stop when she spotted the truck across the highway.

She slowed to a stop near the crest of the bridge.

Bowen said he saw Vazquez and also he stopped.

That was when Dunham crashed into Bowen from behind. That sent Bowen into Vazquez.

Bowen was treated at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and released. Vazquez and Dunham weren’t hurt.

The driver that caused the pileup fled before troopers showed up, Thorson said.

“I’m not looking for any sympathy,” Bowen said. “I just really want the person who caused that accident to do the right thing and come forward.

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Wrong-way driver leads to blue bridge crashes."