Officials identified 65-year-old John M Gielisch, of Ritzville, and 63-year-old Edward D Bartlette, of Yelm, as the two men who lost their lives following a two-vehicle accident Wednesday evening south of Ritzville.
As per the initial information, the fatal car crash took place on State Route 261 just before 6:30. The preliminary reports showed that a GMC Terrain heading north on State Route 261 crossed the centerline and collided with a Ford Explorer about 8 miles south of Ritzville near Ralston.
The Explorer ended up in a ditch on the northbound side of the road while the Terrain landed straddling the centerline facing southbound. The driver of the Terrain, John M Gielisch, of Ritzville, died of his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Explorer, Edward D Bartlette, of Yelm, Washington, also succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Both men were buckled up at the time of the crash. State Route 261 was closed down for several hours but was cleared late Wednesday night. No other details are available.
An investigation is ongoing.
February 18, 2022
Source: The Spokesman-Review
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