Reckless driver causes dramatic crash, snarling Hwy 240 traffic

A speeding driver is being blamed for a dramatic three-car collision on Highway 240 by Columbia Park in Kennewick that slowed traffic for about 2 1/2 hours Tuesday.

Witnesses said the driver of a Toyota Camry was weaving through traffic in the westbound lanes shortly before 1:15 p.m. and even passing cars on the shoulder, Washington State Patrol Trooper Daniel Mosqueda told the Tri-City Herald.

The Camry then collided with a Dodge Durango near Edison Street exit, causing his Camry to flip and land on its top in the median of the busy highway, Mosqueda said. The Camry also hit a Crown Victoria.

The occupants of the Durango were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland with minor injuries. The Camry’s driver was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of reckless driving. His name was not immediately available.

WSP troopers were at the crash scene for over two hours while they used a police dog to search for drugs and investigate what happened. No drugs were found, Mosqueda said.

Several other drivers ended up with tickets after they were caught slowing down to take photos of the crash, he said.