Seven injured, including four children, in I-82 crash near Prosser

Four children were among the seven people injured Friday night when a car struck a disabled SUV blocking a lane on Interstate 82 near Prosser.

A Ford Bronco driven by Barbara Balcita, 28, of Kennewick, was stuck with the hazard lights blinking in an eastbound lane of the interstate near the overpass of Wine Country Road, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Bruce Walker, 33, of Richland, was driving eastbound in a Hyundai Sonata when he ran into the rear of the SUV, the state patrol said.

The four children, ranging in age from 3 to 11 years old, were not properly restrained in the Bronco at the time of the crash. Balcita was sent to PMH Medical Center in Prosser with unspecified injuries. Xadrien Balcita, 6, and Katalayah and Katalyna Martinez, both 3, also went to PMH. Ivar D. Lopez, 11, was taken to PMH, then to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

An adult passenger in the Bronco, Alfredo D. Martinez, 26, of Kennewick, was also taken to PMH and then to Sacred Heart. Martinez was listed in satisfactory condition Saturday.

Walker was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland and was in satisfactory condition on Saturday.

Both vehicles were totaled and the crash blocked the highway for two hours. State police attributed the cause to inattention and are filing charges of second-degree negligent driving against Walker. Balcita was cited for improper restraints of the children.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Seven injured, including four children, in I-82 crash near Prosser."