Two Yelm-area men were hospitalized following a crash near Mineral Thursday that could result in vehicular assault and DUI charges, according to a release from the Washington State Patrol.
Alvaro Soto-Jassi, 22, of Yelm, was driving northbound in a 2010 Ford F-150 on state Route 7 near milepost 13 at about 6:34 a.m. March 12 when he crossed the centerline and struck a southbound logging truck, according to troopers.
The logging truck reportedly rolled and came to rest in the southbound lane, while Soto-Jassi’s F-150 came to rest on the northbound shoulder.
Soto-Jassi was transported to Tacoma General Hospital with undisclosed injuries. His passenger, Norberto T. Soto Guatemala, 28, of Roy, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center.
The driver of the logging truck, Steven D. Bush, 73, of Carbonado, was reportedly uninjured.
Both vehicles were totaled in the crash. All men were wearing seat belts.
According to troopers, Soto-Jassi could face charges of vehicular assault and DUI, as drugs or alcohol were reportedly involved in the incident.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to the release.
The Washington state Department of Transportation closed state Route 7 in both directions for several hours as the scene was cleared.
