Chattaroy, WA (April 17, 2026) – A three-vehicle crash left six people hurt on Tuesday, April 14, at the intersection of US Highway 2 and Denison-Chattaroy Road, approximately one mile north of Chattaroy. Emergency units responded to the scene at around 11:57 a.m.
According to the incident report, a northbound vehicle on US 2 attempted a left turn onto Denison-Chattaroy Road and struck an oncoming southbound vehicle. The impact pushed the second vehicle into a third, which had been stopped at the stop sign on Denison-Chattaroy Road heading eastbound.
All three vehicles came to rest, blocking the roadway. An extrication response was also reported at the scene. Six people were hurt in total, though the severity of their injuries has not been confirmed in available reports.
Drugs and alcohol were not listed as contributing factors. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and further details will be provided as they become available. We are thinking of all six injured as they receive care.
What Typically Causes Multi-Vehicle Crashes at Rural Intersections in Washington?
Left-turn collisions at intersections along state highways are among the more common crash types in rural Washington. When a driver turns across oncoming traffic, misjudging the speed or distance of approaching vehicles can quickly lead to a serious impact. At intersections without traffic signals, this risk is heightened because drivers must rely entirely on their own judgment before turning.
Chain-reaction crashes, where one impact forces a vehicle into another, often result in more people being hurt than in a simple two-car collision. Vehicles stopped at a stop sign are especially vulnerable when a nearby impact sends another car toward them. Road design, sight distance, and traffic volume at rural highway intersections are all factors that can affect how often these situations occur in Washington state.
