Passenger ejected from truck bed in rollover accident

FOUR LAKES – A passenger riding in the bed of a pickup truck was injured in a one-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon, April 17.

According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, a 1997 Toyota pickup driven by 18-year-old Daniel J. Martinez of San Jose, Calif., was eastbound on Interstate 90 near the Medical Lake interchange just after 2 p.m. when it veered off the road to the left. Martinez apparently overcorrected to the right, causing the pickup to leave the roadway again and roll, ejecting 23-year-old Elan A. Martin-Johnson of Santa Cruz, Calif.

Johnson was injured and transported to a local hospital. Martinez was also injured as was his female passenger in the pickup’s cab, 21-year-old Jadon L. Cooney of Eugene, Ore. Both were treated for their injuries at the scene.

State Patrol investigators listed driving under the influence as a likely cause in the accident. Martinez has been charged with possession of marijuana under 40 grams and vehicular assault.