A 70-year-old Mineral man is accused of causing a head-on crash in Rochester on Tuesday while attempting an illegal pass, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Jeffrey D. Fleig is expected to face a charge of driving under the influence. He was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital after the crash, which occurred on U.S. Highway 12 at about 5:40 p.m.
Fleig was traveling east on U.S. Highway 12 just west of 183rd Avenue when he attempted an illegal pass and struck two oncoming vehicles, according to the state patrol.
Fleig’s 2018 Ford Focus first struck a 2020 Nissan NV200 van driven by Jacob L. Hiers, 47, of Oakville. He then collided with a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Jessica L. Hosie, 37, of Oakville.
Hiers was injured in the crash, according to the state patrol, though it wasn’t clear if he required hospitalization. Hosie was not injured.
All three drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The Focus and Nissan van were totaled.
The roadway was blocked for an hour and 10 minutes.
