Ellensburg, Washington – Truck Catches on Fire in Rollover Crash at Interstate 90

Ellensburg, Washington(March 14, 2020) – A pickup truck crashed and caught on fire on the eastbound lanes of the Interstate 90 on Saturday morning. According to the article from 560 KPQ News Radio, the driver, 45 year-old Jose Menzano, and a passenger were able to escape the vehicle before it caught on fire, and were not hurt. No other vehicles were reported to be involved and no other injuries were reported in the incident.

The incident occurred just after 10 a.m. near Ryegrass, on the Interstate 90 between Ellensburg and Vantage. According to information from the Washington State Patrol, poor road conditions such as an icy roadway, high winds and low visibility meant that vehicles should travel at speeds well below the limit. Menzano appears to have been driving at high speeds when he lost control of his vehicle, leading to the rollover crash. The crash ended up causing the truck to be fully engulfed in flames at one point, and the vehicle is now considered a total loss. One lane of the eastbound highway was closed for two hours while crews worked to put out the flames.

About Vehicle Accidents

In 2017, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  have reported a total of 120, 993 car accidents. Of those accidents, 525 were fatal and 34, 311 were possible or suspected of injuries. There are several types of collision that may happen, such as side collision, rollover collision, and head-on collision. Of the types of car accidents, head-on collisions are considered the most dangerous due to the circumstances – two cars are heading towards each other, with a great amount of force being experienced by all parties when the impact happens. While only 2% of car accidents are head-on collisions, they account for more than 10% of car-accident related injuries. These injuries are quite dangerous as most of them are head, spine or neck-related, including spinal injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, broken bones, and whiplash. Similarly, victims of side collisions and rollover collisions also suffer may also suffer head and neck injuries, though the risk is lower in these types of collisions. In rollover collisions, the car will come to rest on its side or roof, resulting in a dangerous situation which passengers might need to be extricated from. In side collisions, the greatest risk comes to the passenger on the particular side that received the impact. No matter the type of accident, all crashes are bound to cause a dreadful situation for all involved.

We urge all drivers to be careful while behind the wheel. When in a location where hazards such as poor illumination, rough roads or construction materials are present, be especially cautious. By doing this, we can ensure our safety as well as the safety of others in the nearby area.

[cta]