Coral Muscarella of Cheney died Jan. 21 at the scene of this head-on collision on SR-904. The impact was from a secondary collision after a Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Kimberly Campbell, rear-ended another vehicle and crossed over into the oncoming lane where Muscarella was traveling. - Photo by David Teller
By DAVID TELLER
Staff Reporter
A 51-year-old Cheney woman died Jan. 21 when the 2007 Honda Pilot she was driving eastbound on SR-904 was hit head-on near the Purvis Road turn off.
According to Washington State Patrol, Coral Muscarella died at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident that happened about 10:15 a.m. when Kimberly Fawn Campbell, 19, driving a 1992 Nissan Pathfinder westbound from Cheney on SR-904 rear-ended a dark-green 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue driven by Lucas C. Nickoloff, 18, that was also westbound.
WSP Trooper Mark Baker said an accident scene investigation suggests that the impact sent Campbell careening into the oncoming traffic where she collided head-on with Muscarella. Both Campbell and Nickoloff were transported to local medical facilities; Campbell with serious injuries.
WSP rerouted traffic on SR-904 for several hours while they continued investigating the scene.
Although Campbell and Nickoloff were interviewed by WSP, no criminal charges have been filed.
Baker said part of the ongoing investigation involves toxicology tests on both Campbell and Nickoloff, but Baker said results would not be available for about a month.
“Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor at this time,” Baker said.
He added that the accident remains under investigation.
A memorial service will be held for Muscarella on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Cheney High School gymnasium.
The accident was the second traffic fatality in five days. On Jan. 17 Cheney High School sophomore Lorissa Green, 16, died of injuries sustained in a Jan. 16 accident on SR-195 when she was hit broadside by a pickup truck pulling a trailer.
A memorial service for Green was held Jan. 26 at the Life Center on Government Way in Spokane. On Jan. 29, Cheney Pizza Hut is sponsoring a fundraiser to help offset the Green family's financial burden.
David Teller can be reached at [email protected]
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