Three killed in head-on crash

WASHTUCNA – Three people were killed and a fourth injured in a head-on crash at about 1:26 p.m. Friday, June 30, on state Highway 26.

Mark R. Nieman, 53, and Natasha J. Nieman, 24, both of Des Moines; and Diane L. Coughlin, 68, of Cle Elum, were pronounced dead at the scene near Milepost 65, about 19 miles west of Washtucna, the Washington State Patrol reported.

James E. Coughlin, 65, of Cle Elum, was injured and transported to a Ritzville hospital for crash-related injuries, the patrol said.

It is unknown if any of the crash victims was wearing a seatbelt, the patrol said. Troopers also are not sure if alcohol or drugs were factors.

The Niemans were eastbound on the highway in a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup at the time of the crash, the patrol reported. Mark Nieman was driving.

The Coughlins were westbound in a 2019 Ford Edge, the patrol reported, noting James Coughlin was driving.

According to the patrol, the Neiman vehicle crossed the centerline of the highway and hit the Coughlin vehicle head-on in the westbound lane.

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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