Head-on Collision Results in Fatality on SR-14
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A photo from Lyle Fire & Rescue District #4’s facebook post about the incident showing a red 2003 Oldsmobile Alero and a brown 2022 Suburu outback post-collision.
By Cole Goodwin
On June 14th, around 9 a.m. there was a two car head-on motor vehicle accident on SR-14 just west of the Lyle tunnels. According to reports both vehicles held only one driver.
Donnita Wolcott of Dallesport, age 60, tragically died in the accident and had to be removed from the vehicle using extrication tools. The other driver, Barbara Matosich, of Lyle, age 66 was injured and had to be transported to Mid-Columbia Medical Center by ambulance.
According to Washington State Patrol Wolcott had been traveling westbound on SR-14 west of the Lyle tunnels at the same time Matosich was headed eastbound when suddenly Wolcott’s vehicle crossed the centerline, striking Matosich’s vehicle head-on.
Both drivers had been wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
Multiple agencies including Bingen Fire, High Prairie Fire, Lyle Fire, Dallesport and White Salmon Medic, Lifeflight, KCSO, WSP, and WSDOT responded to the scene.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the driver that passed and the driver that survived with injuries,” said Lyle Fire & Rescue District #4 yesterday in their facebook post about the accident.
Please Drive Safely, because it could end up saving your life or someone else’s.
From 2017-2019 there have been 1,518 fatal accidents In Washington.
July has historically been the month that has the highest number of fatal accidents due to speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving.
Tips for Driving Safely in Washington
Obey all traffic laws.
Drive now, text later. Do not text or call while driving.
Wear your seatbelt.
Drive defensively.
Slow down in adverse conditions.
Pass other cars carefully and only pass if it’s legal and safe to do so.
Give trucks some extra space as they take longer to slow down and turn.
Turn down your brights when you can see another car in front of you.
