Serious collision closes Highway 18

Published 9:33 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

Several people were injured and traffic was clogged for hours Friday, Aug. 31, by a three-car wreck on Highway 18 shortly before 2 p.m.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a 1994 Honda Accord driven by Brooks Kollman, 27, of Kent was headed eastbound on 18 at Tiger Mountain Pass. It crossed into westbound traffic, striking a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Brian Cornell, 48, of Renton and a 2005 Chevrolet suburban driven by Peter Rau, 36 of Hayden, Idaho.

Kollman was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center. His current condition was not available at press time.

Cornell and Rau sufferred minor injuries and were taken to Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, respectivly. Also injured were passengers in Rau’s vehicle: Amber Rau, 33, and one of four juveniles. Three other juveniles were taken to the Overlake for precautionary reasons.

All vehicles were totaled, but all people involved were wearing seatbelts, according to the state patrol. The cause of the collision is under investigation by the state patrol.