This photo, provided by the Washington State Patrol, shows one of the vehicles involved in a Monday night crash that killed two teens.
This photo, provided by the Washington State Patrol, shows one of the vehicles involved in a Monday night crash that killed two teens.
A third teenager has died as result of a Monday night crash on state Route 508 near Onalaska, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Dakota L. Dunivin, who was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with life-threatening injuries, died Tuesday afternoon, according to the State Patrol.
Arnold W. Mullinax, 18, of Onalaska, was driving seven passengers in a Land Rover when the crash occurred. Mullinax was pronounced dead at the scene. A 13-year-old girl, whose name has not been released, also died as a result of the crash, which occurred just before 10 p.m. about a mile east of Onalaska.
Only two of the eight teens riding in the black 2002 Land Rover Discovery involved in the crash were wearing seat belts, according to the State Patrol. The car included three other 18-year-old boys and four 13-year-old girls.
A 36-year-old Chehalis man — Joseph W. Rogerson — was behind the wheel of the 2004 Ford Freestyle that collided with the Land Rover. He has been charged with driving under the influence. He was arrested at about 2:24 a.m. Tuesday. An adult female passenger of his vehicle was not injured.
Both vehicles involved in a fatal crash were over the center line at the time of the collision, Washington State Patrol Trooper William Finn said Tuesday.
The State Patrol is investigating what caused the head-on collision.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said the Prosecutor’s Office is considering vehicular homicide charges for Rogerson. The decision will be made when the State Patrol completes its investigation, he said Tuesday morning.
The other passengers of the Land Rover included Chris S. Woods, who was injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, and J.T. Griffis, who was not injured, but was transported to Providence.
The names of the 13-year-old girls have not been released.
One of the girls died at the scene. Another girl was injured. She and two others were transported to Providence.
Mullinax and Woods were the only people in the car wearing seat belts, according to the State Patrol.
Onalaska School District Superintendent Jeff Davis could not confirm any of the teens were enrolled in the district.
However, he said the accident has strongly affected the small community.
“We have some staff that are pretty shook up,” he said. “Anytime we have a tragedy like this it’s really difficult. We’re a pretty tight-knit community … We’ll take it day by day.”
The Onalaska School District will open a “safe room” from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Onalaska High School.
Students, parents, staff and community members are invited to come to the room and visit with each other. Local pastors will be at the event, Davis said.
“Anytime there’s a tragedy, it’s a place where people can go to feel safe,” Davis said. “They can grieve, they can remember.”
The safe room will be in Room 408 of Onalaska High School.
