A Pateros man was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 153 on Saturday (Aug. 14) that led to the road being closed for three hours, the Washington State Patrol reported.
According to the State Patrol, Tao L. Stettler, 39, was driving southbound at about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with a northbound vehicle driven by Jason N. Dixon, 49, of Enumclaw. Both drivers were alone in their vehicles. The accident occurred at milepost 1 on Highway 53, just west of the state highway’s intersection with U.S. 97.
The State Patrol said Stettler was pronounced dead at Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster. Stettler had not been wearing a seatbelt, the report said.
Dixon, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Three Rivers Hospital with injuries, the State Patrol report said.
The State Patrol said it was unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved.
