Two dead in crash near Ralston

RALSTON – Two people were killed in a head-on crash on state Highway 261 Wednesday evening between Washtucna and Ritzville.

John M. Gielisch, 65, of Ritzville, and Edward D. Bartlett, 63, of Yelm, were pronounced dead after the 6:24 p.m. crash near Milepost 54, north of Ralston, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Gielisch was northbound in a 1992 Ford Explorer when he crossed the center line and hit the southbound 2020 GMC Terrain, driven by Bartlett, the patrol reported.

The impact sent the Terrain into the ditch and the Explorer stopped in the center of the highway, prompting its closure for several hours.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, the patrol said.

As of press time, the patrol said it was unknown if either drugs or alcohol was a factor.

The crash remains under investigation.

The deaths are the second and third fatalities due to crashes on state Highway 261 in the last two months.

Washtucna resident Jeffery S. Zupan, 18, died Dec. 23 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane from injuries he sustained in a Dec. 22 crash near Milepost 54.