Driver in I-82 crash is still critical and the cause is still a mystery

A Toppenish woman is in critical condition after being pulled from the wreckage of a car on Interstate 82 on Wednesday afternoon.

The crash closed both eastbound lanes for two hours.

Noel A. Kaleikini, 25, hasn’t regained consciousness after being rushed to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, said Washington State Trooper Chris Thorson.

Her passenger, Jasmyn N. Williams, 27, of Mabton, is in satisfactory condition at the hospital.

Kaleikini was driving a Ford Taurus west on the interstate when she lost control and headed into the median shortly before 4 p.m., Washington State Patrol said.

The car flipped and landed in the eastbound lanes of the highway.

Williams wasn’t wearing her seat belt and was thrown from the car.

Investigators are still not sure why Kaleikini lost control.

This story was originally published June 20, 2019 at 10:01 AM.