Authorities said a police officer might have been at fault in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Kennewick that sent one woman to an area hospital.

The Washington State Patrol said they still are investigating the crash that injured Linda J. Chapman, 60, of Pasco, just after 9 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of U.S. 395 and Kennewick Avenue.  Kennewick Officer Elizabeth Grant, 34, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the wreck, was not hurt.

Authorities said Grant was driving east on Kennewick Avenue in her vehicle, an unmarked police department Ford Explorer. She reportedly had her lights on and her siren activated when she entered the intersection with U.S. 395.

Grant’s vehicle was struck by another driven by Chapman, according to authorities. The Washington State Patrol said Chapman was taken to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Emergency responders worked on the scene for some time after the incident, which caused heavy damage to both vehicles and left debris scattered across the roadway.

Washington state law requires law enforcement officers to drive with caution and be mindful of the safety of fellow motorists. While officers are permitted to enter intersections during red lights, they still must ensure that cross traffic has stopped before doing so, according to state code.

Please follow and like us: