KENNEWICK, WA — Two people died and several others were injured Thursday after a crash involving 12 vehicles, including at least two semi-trucks, shut down a stretch of Highway 397 south of Kennewick.
Washington State Patrol said emergency crews were called at about 1:51 p.m. on Sept. 25 to a crash near milepost 4. Benton County Fire District 1 said responders found multiple collisions spread from the reported milepost west to Interstate 82.
One person was first confirmed dead at the scene, and state patrol later said a second person died as well. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation.
Emergency crews found a multi-vehicle pileup spread across Highway 397
Fire district officials said the scene involved several separate crashes tied together across a wide area of roadway. In all, 12 vehicles were involved, and at least two of them were semis.
That kind of chain-reaction wreck can leave investigators sorting out a sequence of impacts rather than a single collision. Officials have not released details on how each vehicle entered the crash or how the first impact began.
First responders remained in the area after the deaths were confirmed, and the crash scene continued to affect traffic through the afternoon. The stretch between the reported milepost and Interstate 82 became the focus of the investigation.
Two people died and several others were injured in the collision
Authorities have confirmed two deaths tied to the wreck. One fatality was initially reported by first responders, and Washington State Patrol later confirmed a second person died from the crash.
Officials also said several other people were hurt. They did not immediately release the number of injured people, their conditions, or whether any were taken to a hospital by ambulance or helicopter.
The injuries and deaths turned the crash into a major emergency response, with multiple agencies working at the scene. Investigators have not released the names of the people who died.
One semi was carrying hazardous materials, but nothing leaked
Washington State Patrol said one of the semi-trucks involved was hauling hazardous materials. Despite that detail, officials said no hazardous material was released from the truck.
That meant the wreck did not turn into a spill response, even as crews dealt with the scale of the collision and the roadway closure. Authorities did not identify the material being transported.
The presence of a hazardous-materials load added concern to an already serious crash, but officials stressed that nothing had leaked. Responders continued to work the area while the scene was secured and investigated.
Highway 397 and nearby roads were closed for hours
Because of the crash, Highway 397 was closed from Interstate 82, and Olympia Street was closed from 45th Avenue. Washington State Patrol said the closures were expected to last for several hours.
Officials urged drivers to avoid the area so emergency personnel could work safely and investigators could document the scene. The shutdown affected a key corridor south of Kennewick during the afternoon travel period.
Road closures of that scale can create delays well beyond the immediate crash site, especially when investigators must examine debris, vehicle positions and roadway damage. No reopening time was announced.
Investigators believe wind and dust may have reduced visibility
Washington State Patrol said the crash cause is still under investigation, but strong winds and dust are believed to have played a role by lowering visibility.
Low-visibility conditions can make it difficult for drivers to react to slowing traffic or sudden hazards, especially on a high-speed roadway. Officials have not said whether speed, following distance or other factors may also have contributed.
The investigation will determine how the pileup started and whether the weather conditions were the main trigger. For now, state patrol is treating wind and dust as the most likely contributing factors.
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