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KENNEWICK, Benton County, WA., Sept. 27, 2026 — A two-vehicle T-bone crash blocked the intersection of E. Sellards Rd and S. Travis Rd Friday evening, September 25, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office. At least one person was treated for injuries described as minor.
Deputies and medics were sent to the intersection around 7:42 p.m. after dispatchers received reports of a crash involving a silver Toyota Camry and a second vehicle, the sheriff's office said. Responding crews found the vehicles positioned in a T-bone configuration with airbags deployed, blocking the full intersection.
Early reports suggested as many as four people may have been involved, though that number was not confirmed. A Life Flight air ambulance was requested as a precaution but was called off once crews determined everyone had gotten out of the vehicles and could be taken to a hospital by ground transport. A man believed to be about 30 years old was treated at the scene for minor injuries, investigators said.
Deputies stayed at the intersection to direct traffic and clear the roadway. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Where T-Bone Crashes at Rural Intersections Tend to Happen
T-bone crashes cluster at spots where two roads cross without much warning or control, particularly unsignaled intersections in rural or semi-rural stretches like the one that connects E. Sellards Rd and S. Travis Rd. Drivers that approach on a minor road may face a stop sign with limited visibility, while cross traffic moves at higher speed. That combination turns a routine crossing into a high-risk situation every time a vehicle enters the intersection.
Wide, fast rural roads compound the problem. Without traffic signals or turn lanes, drivers judge gaps in oncoming traffic on their own, and a misjudged gap at 50 or 55 mph leaves little time to react. Dusk and early evening hours, like the time of this crash, add another layer of difficulty as light fades and headlights become harder to read against a darkening sky.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections in 2023. Intersections carry that same weight for vehicle occupants, since crossing paths at an angle exposes the sides of a car, the part with the least structure to absorb an impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, call 911, and let responding deputies or officers document the scene. Get checked by medical personnel even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms show up later.
Why do T-bone crashes cause more serious injuries than other types?
The side of a vehicle has less crumple space and structure than the front or rear, so a T-bone impact transfers more force directly to the occupants near the point of contact.
How do low light and dusk conditions contribute to intersection crashes?
Fading daylight makes it harder to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles, and headlights can create glare that further delays a driver's reaction.
What to Do After a T-Bone Crash in Kennewick, WA
If you're involved in a T-bone crash, stay where you are unless there's a fire or other immediate danger, and turn on hazard lights if your vehicle can still move. Check on other people involved before worrying about vehicle damage. Even if you feel fine, ask paramedics to check you over, since adrenaline can mask pain from whiplash or internal injuries.
Once you're safe, get the responding agency's report number and the names of any witnesses nearby. Follow up with your own doctor in the days after the crash if any soreness, stiffness, or headaches develop. Keep records of any medical visits and repair estimates in case you need them later.
