17-year-old flips SUV on Richland highway. WSP suspects drugs or alcohol were involved

A 17-year-old driver may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol when her SUV flipped on Interstate 182 on Monday, investigators say.

The driver, whose name and town were withheld, was heading west in a Ford Explorer on the highway in Richland about 2:40 p.m., the Washington State Patrol said

She lost control of the SUV, drove off the side of the road near the Queensgate exit and the vehicle rolled, according to a WSP traffic memo.

The 17-year-old was hurt and taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Her 16-year-old passenger from West Richland wasn’t hurt.

WSP investigators said drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash, but didn’t explain how, though charges are pending.