State Patrol Investigates After Head-On Accident Leaves Three Dead

A head on crash on State Route 24 on Friday night took the life of three people including an 11-year-old girl from Kelso.

A CRASH AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO PASS

Washington State Patrol Troopers say a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Luis Martinez of Bellingham was traveling Eastbound on State Route 24, 15 miles east of Moxee when he tried to pass a vehicle and struck head on a Westbound vehicle driven by 35-year-old Danielle Reed of Kelso. Martinez and his passenger, 38-year-old Yajara Martinez both died in the crash. Troopers say they both were not wearing seatbelts. Passengers, two kids, ages 6 and 8-years-old were injured and taken to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital. Both were wearing seatbelts.

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A 13-YEAR OLD PASSENGER NOT WEARING A SEATBELT

The other driver, Reed and a 13-year-old passenger were both injured and taken to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital. Troopers say Reed was wearing a seatbelt but the 13-year-old passenger, identified as Karly Entler did not have her seatbelt buckled.
Another passenger, 11-year-old Jayde Entler died in the crash. Troopers say she was also not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation by the Washington State Patrol.

MOST OLDER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WEAR SEATBELTS

A study by the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission in 2015 found that 95% of Washingtonians use seat belts. Today the rate is 93.9% statewide.
In Yakima County the seatbelt rate stands at 94% according to the Yakima Police Department.

SOME YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T BUCKLE UP

State officials say while a majority of adults wear seatbelts many young people ignore the belt. In fact the commission says drivers age 16 to 25 have the lowest seat belt use rate of all ages of drivers killed in fatal crashes. Yakima Police say if you're a parent you can set a great example.

TEENS LISTEN TO PARENTS

Research suggests that teens do listen to parents (and those in a parenting role) who are involved in their driver training. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that parental involvement leads to safer driving habits, with teens 50% less likely to crash and 50% more likely to buckle up, than teens who perceive their parents as uninvolved.