Craig E. Richardt Obituary, Death – An 89-year-old man from Moses Lake was involved in a tragic wrong-way accident on Interstate 90 early Saturday morning, resulting in one death and one injury. The collision occurred around 4:42 a.m. on September 28, approximately nine miles west of Sprague.
According to reports from the Washington State Patrol, Lloyd O. Arbaugh was driving a 1999 Dodge Ram eastward in the westbound left lane of I-90 when he collided with a 2009 Toyota Corolla that was heading west. The impact not only involved the two vehicles but also resulted in debris striking a third vehicle, a 2013 Volkswagen Passat, which was traveling in the right lane behind the Toyota.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 61-year-old Craig E. Richardt from Spokane Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene. Arbaugh sustained injuries from the crash and was taken to East Adams Rural Hospital for treatment. The driver of the Volkswagen, 61-year-old Russell D. Marshall from Ritzville, escaped unharmed in the collision.
Authorities confirmed that both Arbaugh and Richardt were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the incident. Investigators have ruled out the involvement of drugs or alcohol in the crash, and the exact cause is still being looked into.
The collision resulted in the total loss of the Toyota and Dodge Ram, while the Volkswagen sustained damage that was deemed reportable but was still operable enough to be driven away from the scene. The Washington State Patrol is continuing its investigation, and further details about the accident are anticipated as they gather more information.