Passenger seriously hurt in Pasco head-on with semi. Driver accused of being high

A Yakima man is expected to face charges after he rammed headlong into a semi truck on Oregon Avenue while high on drugs, say investigators.

Pasco police believe Anthony J. Watson, 38, of Yakima, was under the influence of narcotics when he was heading south on Oregon Avenue with two other men in his car, said Sgt. Rigo Pruneda.

As they neared James Street, Watson’s Oldsmobile Alero crossed the center line and rammed into a truck heading north about 4 a.m. Thursday.

Watson and the rear passenger were able to escape the car, but emergency crews needed to pry open part of the wreckage to free a front passenger.

All three men were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Their conditions were not immediately available Thursday afternoon but the front passenger’s injuries were life-threatening, Pruneda said.

The intersection was closed about 5 1/2 hours until about 9:30 a.m. while police investigated the crash.

The snow and slick roads weren’t a factor into the crash, Pruneda said.