Woman dies in two-car head-on collision

One person died, two others were injured and one is facing a vehicular homicide charge after a collision on highway 97 near its junction with highway 17 yesterday morning east of Brewster.

The Washington State Patrol reported that a 59-year-old Manson woman had been driving south on SR-97 in a 2008 Honda CR-V when her car was struck by a GMC Yukon headed north.

The Yukon came to rest in the center lane, the Honda rolled and came to rest on its top on the southbound shoulder.

The Patrol’s investigation memo indicates that Kai Michael Marcellay, 37, of Brewster, was driving the 2009 Yukon and was passing illegally when the two vehicles met head on.

The driver of the Honda, Peggy Anne Griffin, died at the scene of the crash, which happened about 9:30 a.m. She was wearing a seatbelt.

A 33-year-old passenger with Marcellay was also injured. They were both taken to Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster.

Both vehicles were totalled.

The report indicates that Marcellay would be charged with vehicular homicide and that alcohol or drugs were involved in the collision.

This story has been updated with the name of the deceased, following notification of her next of kin.