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CASHMERE, Chelan County, Wash., Sept. 22, 2026 — A motorcyclist was hurt Sunday afternoon, September 20, in a three-vehicle hit-and-run crash on US Highway 2 between Dryden and Cashmere, according to the Washington State Patrol. The rider was struck twice after a passing driver fled the scene.
The Washington State Patrol said a 62-year-old Cashmere man was riding his motorcycle eastbound near milepost 108 when an eastbound truck reportedly made an improper lane change and hit the motorcycle. Troopers said the collision pushed the motorcycle into the westbound lanes, where it was struck again by a vehicle carrying two Kirkland residents.
The motorcyclist was wearing a DOT-approved helmet and was injured but was not taken to a hospital, the agency reported. The two occupants of the second vehicle were not hurt. The driver of the truck left the scene and has not been identified; charges are pending once that driver is located, according to the state patrol.
The crash remains under investigation. Troopers have not released further details on the truck involved or the circumstances of the lane change.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
When Multi-Vehicle Crashes on Highways Like US 2 Tend to Happen
Chain-reaction crashes on two-lane highways often start with a single misjudged move, a lane change, a pass, a sudden stop, that leaves little time for the vehicles behind or beside it to react. On a road carrying mixed traffic, including motorcycles, trucks and passenger cars moving at different speeds, one mistake can put a vehicle directly into the path of oncoming traffic within seconds.
Weekend afternoons and early evenings see heavier recreational traffic on rural highways, mixing local commuters with visitors unfamiliar with the road's curves and passing zones. That combination of unfamiliar drivers, higher speeds and less predictable following distances raises the odds that one crash becomes two.
Hit-and-run cases add another layer. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, one in five cyclist injuries occurred in hit-and-run crashes in 2023, a reminder that vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, face added risk when a driver leaves the scene instead of stopping to help or report what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Once a vehicle is knocked into another lane or comes to a sudden stop, following or oncoming traffic often has little time to avoid a second collision, especially on undivided highways.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes hard to investigate?
Investigators have to piece together the sequence of impacts, often from multiple vehicles and witnesses, to determine which collision happened first and what caused it. A driver leaving the scene, as reported here, can add delay.
What typically causes chain-reaction highway crashes?
Common factors include improper lane changes, unsafe passing, sudden braking and drivers misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Cashmere, WA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to safety if possible and call 911 right away. Make sure to get checked by a medical provider even if injuries seem minor, since impact injuries can take hours to show symptoms.
Don't forget to exchange information with all drivers involved if it's safe to do so, and note any vehicle that leaves the scene, including a description or license plate if you can get one. Cooperate with responding troopers and ask for a copy of the collision report once it's available, which can help with insurance claims and any follow-up investigation.
