A 95-year-old Chehalis woman has died following a crash last Thursday on U.S. Highway 12 in Lewis County, according to an update from the Washington State Patrol.
Dorothy J. Vandiest died at Providence Centralia Hospital.
The driver accused of causing the crash — Remigio Corona Quintero, 55, of Centralia — could now face a charge of vehicular homicide in addition to driving under the influence.
The two-car collision occurred near mile marker 68 on U.S. Highway 12 just east of Interstate 5 at about 4:42 p.m. Thursday, according to the state patrol.
Corona Quintero was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 in a 1999 GMC Sierra when he attempted a U-turn in front of a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan occupied by driver Joanne McCurry, 66, Mossyrock, and her passenger, Vandiest, striking the vehicle.
All three people, who were reportedly wearing seat belts, were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, where Vandiest later died.
Both vehicles were totaled, according to state troopers.
WSP classified the cause of the collision as “improper U-turn” and noted that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Corona Quintero has been booked into the Lewis County Jail. He’s expected to make an initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court this week.
