A routine left turn on a rural stretch of State Route 281 turned deadly early Saturday when a Grant County woman was shoved into oncoming traffic and killed just south of Quincy.
Washington State Patrol said 46-year-old Eva Santiago Santos, of George, died at the scene after her car was hit from behind, pushed across the center line, and then struck by a northbound vehicle about three miles south of Quincy. The crash briefly shut down the highway while troopers and emergency crews worked the scene.
According to KXLY, the collision was reported at about 6:47 a.m. Santos had been stopped in the southbound lane, waiting to turn onto Road 6 NW, when a southbound driver hit her car from behind. The impact shoved her vehicle across the center line and into northbound traffic, where it was struck again.
How the crash unfolded
FOX28 Spokane reported that the 31-year-old driver of the northbound vehicle, who hit Santos' car after it was forced into his lane, made the first call to police and is not facing charges. The 38-year-old southbound driver who rear-ended Santos' vehicle has charges pending, according to troopers.
Investigators said the chain of impacts began with the rear-end collision in the southbound lane, which then pushed Santos' car into the path of oncoming traffic. The case remains under active investigation.
Ongoing safety concerns on SR 281
The deadly wreck adds to a troubling record for SR 281 in Grant County, where serious crashes have been stacking up. Coverage by KPQ and other outlets has documented previous high-speed and multi-vehicle collisions along the narrow two-lane corridor, particularly during low-light hours.
Investigation and what comes next
Washington State Patrol is leading the investigation and has not yet said whether speed or impairment played a role, according to local reports. Authorities say more details will be released as troopers complete their work and the case moves forward.
