Rollover accident sends five to hospital

Inattention proved to be the cause of a rollover accident 20 miles west of Ritzville that sent five to the hospital on July 31. Adams County Fire responded to the scene around 1:45 p.m. where it was reported two individuals were trapped in the vehicle and one with a serious head injury, causing MedStar to be launched.

The vehicle, driven by Federal Way resident Ornaldo Zalpa, 56, was traveling westbound on Interstate 90 when it drifted off the road and into the median. Zalpa overcorrected, sending the 2007 Ford Focus off the right shoulder and causing the vehicle to roll.

MedStar transported 18-year-old Ornaldo Zalpa-Barajas to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, while the remaining passengers were transported by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital. Irma Garcia-Cruz, 39; Lucila Zalpa-Guadalupe, 13; and Cherlin Garcia-Vincente, 6, all suffered injuries in the accident.

The driver and passengers in the vehicle had been wearing restraints at the time of the incident. Charges are pending. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor.