Stray dog in intersection contributes to Kennewick crash

A small dog that ran across a Kennewick intersection Feb. 20 is being at least partially blamed for causing a two-car crash that left the drivers with injuries.

One driver was northbound on Vancouver and coming up to the intersection.

“The light turned yellow and a small stray dog ran from the east side of Vancouver Street across the street to the parking lot of the Circle K startling the motorist whose momentary distraction resulted in running the now red light,” a Kennewick police release said. The northbound car collided with another car that was eastbound on Fourth Avenue and had the green light.

The eastbound driver was taken to Trios Southridge Hospital with injuries, while the other driver had minor injuries. Both vehicles were severely damaged.

The northbound driver was cited for running the red light.

As for the dog, it was not reported whether it was injured. Animal Control was called and tried to catch it, but it was last seen running east toward the Tri-City Housing Authority complex between Vancouver and Rainier streets.

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Stray dog in intersection contributes to Kennewick crash."