GMC Sierra failed to yield while re entering traffic on Potato Frontage Road
April 21, 2026 | Moses Lake, WA
A crash on State Route 17 near Moses Lake in Grant County left three people injured, including one with serious injuries, early Tuesday morning.
Michele A. Razey, 51, was seriously injured after a GMC Sierra re-entered traffic and collided with Ford Mustang on SR 17 near Moses Lake.
What Happened in the Crash?
The incident unfolded around 10:42 a.m. on SR 17 Potato Frontage Road near milepost 49.7. According to the Washington State Patrol, a GMC Sierra pickup truck was stopped on the southbound shoulder when its driver attempted to merge back into traffic. The driver failed to yield, leading to a collision with a southbound 2006 Ford Mustang.
Both vehicles ended up on the northbound shoulder after the crash. The pickup's driver and passenger received treatment at Samaritan Hospital. The Mustang's driver, Michele A. Razey, 51, of Quincy, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
Washington State Patrol officials indicated that the pickup driver faces charges for failure to yield. The crash is still under investigation.
- Date and Time: April 21, approximately 10:42 a.m.
- Location: SR 17 Potato Frontage Road, milepost 49.7, near Moses Lake, Grant County, Washington
- Vehicles Involved: 2006 Ford Mustang, southbound, and a GMC Sierra pickup, attempting to re-enter from the shoulder
- Injuries: Three people were injured, Michele A. Razey with serious injuries requiring airlift
- Agency: Washington State Patrol
- Charges: Failure to yield pending against the pickup driver
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Failure to yield is a common factor in roadway collisions, often occurring when drivers misjudge traffic or overlook oncoming vehicles. Distracted driving, poor visibility, or abrupt maneuvers from the shoulder can exacerbate risks on highways like SR 17.
According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle crashes result in millions of injuries annually. A 2018 report highlighted 4.5 million such injuries nationwide.
Statistic |
Details |
Source |
|---|
Annual Injuries from Crashes |
4.5 million (2018 data) |
National Safety Council |
Common Causes |
Failure to yield, distracted driving |
Federal Highway Administration |
Highway Safety Focus |
Rural roads like SR 17 see higher speeds and risks |
CDC Highway Safety Reports |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle crashes, independent investigations play a crucial role in determining liability and supporting affected parties.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Candice Bond, national analyst for Newsline and managing partner of Bond Legal. “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time while vigorously protecting their legal rights and best interests. An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
Key takeaways from legal analysis:
- Hire an experienced attorney to conduct thorough investigations beyond initial police reports.
- Secure evidence like witness statements and digital records to build a strong case.
- Use specialized teams for accident reconstruction to clarify collision dynamics.
- Protect rights against insurance pressures for low settlements.
Pending investigation outcomes, individuals like those injured may pursue personal injury claims to address impacts on health, finances, and daily life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal and contributor to Newsline. “Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).