Driver slams into DOT plow truck on slick, foggy Hanford highway

A 28-year-old Mattawa man slammed into a Department of Transportation plow truck after losing control on the slick highway Friday morning.

Jared Thomaasson lost control of his Dodge Dakota pickup on Highway 24 near the Vernita Bridge as he drove north about 6 a.m. Friday, state Trooper Daniel Mosqueda told the Tri-City Herald.

Heavy fog and low temperatures had left the rural stretch of highway slick.

The pickup crashed head-on into the plow truck heading south, leaving the pickup totaled, the Washington State Patrol said.

Thomasson was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center with minor injuries, Mosqueda said.

Kadlec officials say that he is in satisfactory condition.

The semi driver, James B. Craig, 55, of Yakima, was not hurt. Both men were wearing their seat belts.

WSP cited Thomasson with second-degree negligent driving because he was driving too fast for the conditions.

This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 12:36 PM.