Three hurt in SR 904 collision Saturday

A near head-on collision on SR 904 sent three people to a local hospital Saturday afternoon.

According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, at approximately 4:45 p.m. an eastbound, black, 2002 Volkswagen Golf two-door sedan driven by 47-year-old Curtis R. Cooley of Spokane Valley attempted to pass multiple vehicles in a no-passing lane at milepost 13 near the intersection of SR 904 and Paradise Road. Cooley’s vehicle essentially sideswiped a green, 2000 two-door Honda Accord drive by Raquel H. Caballero, 21, of Cheney, impacting headlight to headlight in the westbound lane.

Both Cooley and Caballero were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Cooley’s 8-year-old son, who was in the backseat, was also transported to Sacred Heart with critical injuries.

According to news reports, Cooley admitted to WSP troopers that he was trying to pass a slower moving vehicle. The WSP memo noted that alcohol was involved.

Cooley has been charged with vehicular assault and illegal passing.