4 killed, 3 injured in central Washington crash

TOPPENISH, Wash. -- Authorities say four people died and three were injured in a crash involving a pickup truck and a semitrailer in central Washington.

Washington State Patrol trooper Justin Rumsey says the crash happened Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 97 just south of Toppenish.

Rumsey says a Dodge Durango sped through a stop sign and rammed into a semitrailer that was heading south on the highway.

Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice identified the victims Wednesday as 41-year-old Frances Northover, of Bellingham; 61-year-old Susan Brown, of Yakima; 21-year-old Matt Brown-Washington, of Wapato; and 39-year-old Michelle Untuch, of Toppenish.



Authorities say the four were among six people traveling in the Durango. The two others were taken to hospitals, while the semitrailer driver had minor injuries.

FBI spokeswoman Ayn Dietrich says Yakama Nation tribal police are leading the crash investigation with FBI assistance.