Two women killed, four children injured in crash on Highway 395 south of Lind

Two people were killed and several children injured in a crash on Highway 395, south of Lind on Sunday evening.

Ariana Lake by Ariana Lake, Kyle Simchuk

LIND, Wash. – Two people were killed and several children injured in a crash on US 395 south of Lind on Sunday evening.

Washington State Patrol troopers on scene said 57-year-old Ramona Gonzales of Spokane was driving the wrong way on the highway when her Toyota Prius crashed into an oncoming Dodge Grand Caravan.

Gonzales was killed in the crash.

The van she hit was carrying a family of six from Ritzville. Jeremiah Cody, 34, and Jessica Cody, 36, were driving with their four children, who are ages 3 to 12.

Jessica Cody, who was in the passenger seat, was killed in the crash.

All four of the children were hurt. One child was airlifted to Sacred Heart with a severe concussion, the others suffered broken bones and bruises from their seat-belts. The children’s father was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to get treated for severe burns.

Crystal Gerhardt is a close family friend and was waiting at Cody’s home for the family to return Sunday night. She went straight to the hospital once she got a call early Monday morning.

“I knew exactly I needed to be here for those kids, because I’m considered their aunt,” Gerhardt said. “As long as you’re together, then you can get though it and family is the number one thing.”

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