BENTON COUNTY, WA — Two people were killed after a 12-vehicle crash on Highway 397 in Benton County, and officials later identified them as an elderly couple from West Richland. The Washington State Patrol said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but troopers believe strong winds may have played a role.
The collision involved cars and semi-trucks and forced a full closure of the highway as emergency crews responded. Officials said one person died at the scene earlier in the day, and a second death was confirmed in an update later Thursday. Several other people were hurt.
Officials identify the victims as Radphord and Diana Howard
In an update, officials said the two people who died were Radphord and Diana Howard of West Richland. Investigators said the couple was traveling westbound when their vehicle crashed into a semi-truck. They were pronounced dead before they could be taken to a hospital.
The identification of the victims added a personal dimension to an already serious scene on the highway. Authorities have not released additional information about the couple beyond their hometown and the fact that they were in the westbound lane at the time of the collision.
The Washington State Patrol has not said exactly how the initial impact unfolded, and the investigation is continuing. Officials have also not released details about the condition of any other injured people involved in the crash.
12 vehicles were involved, including two semis and one hauling hazardous materials
Benton County Fire District 1 said the pileup involved 12 vehicles in all, among them two semi-trucks. One of those big rigs was carrying hazardous materials, which raised concern at the scene as crews worked to secure the roadway and assess the vehicles.
Fire officials later said none of the hazardous materials leaked. That finding helped limit one of the biggest immediate risks from the crash, even as responders dealt with the larger collision and injuries across multiple vehicles.
The crash scene stretched across the highway and required a coordinated emergency response. Because so many vehicles were involved, officials urged drivers to stay away and let first responders work without traffic trying to move through the area.
Highway 397 was shut down between Nine Canyon and I-82
The crash closed Highway 397 in both directions between Nine Canyon and Interstate 82. Benton County Fire District 1 said there was no access available at Olympia, and drivers were told to avoid the area while crews handled the scene.
The Washington State Department of Transportation later said the highway remained closed in both directions. That closure meant traffic in the area had to be rerouted while law enforcement and emergency workers continued their response.
Officials did not give a timeline for when the highway would reopen. The shutdown reflected the scale of the wreck and the need to keep the road clear for investigators, towing crews and medical personnel.
Troopers say wind may have been a factor as the investigation continues
Washington State Patrol Trooper Daniel Mosqueda said investigators believe strong winds may have contributed to the collisions. He also said the exact cause is still under investigation, so the role of weather has not been fully determined.
That detail matters because the crash happened on a stretch of highway where motorists can be exposed to changing conditions. Even so, officials have not said that wind was the only factor or identified any final cause.
For now, investigators are focusing on the sequence of impacts, the vehicles involved and the conditions at the time of the wreck. The state patrol is expected to provide additional information as the inquiry moves forward.
Emergency crews urged drivers to stay away from the scene
As responders worked the highway, Benton County Fire District 1 urged motorists to steer clear and allow emergency personnel room to operate. The warning came as crews dealt with injuries, vehicle damage and the hazards created by the multi-vehicle pileup.
The district said more information would come from the Washington State Patrol, which is handling the investigation. That meant the fire district’s role was focused on immediate response and scene safety while state troopers worked to determine what happened.
The crash added to a difficult day for everyone involved, from first responders to the families waiting for answers. With two deaths confirmed and several injuries reported, officials said the investigation would continue even as the roadway remained closed.
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