One dead in Washtucna crash

WASHTUCNA — A Richland man was killed Saturday afternoon on state Highway 26 east of town when he crashed while trying to pass another vehicle.

Ricard D. Chandler, 57, of Richland, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Chandler was eastbound in a 2004 GMC Envoy on the highway near Milepost 85 at about 4:39 p.m. when the crash occurred, the patrol reported.

The patrol reported Chandler attempted to pass another eastbound vehicle, but swerved back to the right to avoid oncoming traffic.

While swerving, he lost control of his vehicle, which overturned and came to rest on the side of the highway, the patrol reported.

Chandler was not wearing a seatbelt.

The crash prompted closure of the highway for several hours.

The patrol has yet to report if drugs or alcohol was a factor in the fatal crash.

The Washington State Patrol notified Chandler’s next of kin and the vehicle was removed from the scene by Ritzville Towing, the patrol said.

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