YAKIMA, WA : A 39-year-old Yakima woman died in a collision on Sunday, June 25, 2017

A 39-year-old Yakima woman died in a collision Sunday morning on State Route 24 following a pursuit that authorities said they had ended due to excessive speed.

Lena Joyce Elwell was dead at the scene of the accident at the intersection with Birchfield Road at 7:22 a.m., the Washington State Patrol reported. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to a news release.

Carlos R. Gutierrez, 40, of Yakima, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected when his truck was struck by Elwell, police said. Gutierrez was taken to Virginia Mason Memorial hospital where he was listed as stable.

Sgt. Trent Clasen of the Washington State Patrol on Sunday morning said Elwell was speeding on Interstate 82 around 7:15 a.m. When troopers tried to pull her over, they reported she drove off, reaching speeds that topped 100 mph.

State Patrol said she was being pursued for failure to yield. Elwell turned east onto Terrace Heights Way and authorities ended the pursuit at that point as she continued to flee, Clasen said. She was then eastbound on State Route 24 at a high rate of speed, the State Patrol said.

Gutierrez was southbound on Birchfield and Elwell passed traffic using the left turn lane while traffic was stopped for a red light at Birchfield, according to the State Patrol. Elwell hit his truck in the intersection.

It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved, police said. The accident remains under investigation.

Source :
Yakima woman killed in collision after police say they called off high speed chase