Passenger airlifted after teen rolls car with family inside near Tri-Cities
Two people were hurt when a teen rolled the SUV he was driving on Highway 12 in Walla Walla County on Saturday afternoon.
Matthew A. Bennett, 17, of College Place, was driving west on the highway at 3:20 p.m.
About 1 mile east of Wallulla Junction and about 10 miles south of Pasco, his Buick Enclave left the road and rolled, according to the Washington State Patrol.
One of his four passengers, Karl E. Koljosdahl, 40, of College Place, was taken by air ambulance to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.
Bennett was taken to Kadlec by ground ambulance.
Their conditions were not immediately available on the holiday weekend.
Anna Bennett, 15; Matt R. Bennett, 40; and Shanna R. Bennett 43, all of College Place, were not hurt. Everyone in the car was wearing seat belts, according to the WSP.
Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash, and the driver has not been charged, according to the WSP.
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Why wasn't an Amber Alert sent for the 3 sisters found dead in Washington?
The deaths of three girls in Washington state whose mother reported them missing after their father didn't return them from a custodial visit, has prompted cries for reform because an Amber Alert was never sent for the sisters. The bodies of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were discovered on June 2 – just days after they were reported missing by their mother, Whitney Decker. The three girls did not return home from a planned visitation with their father, Travis Decker, a former military member who is homeless and was living out of a pickup. Authorities found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards away from their father's unoccupied vehicle near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals, and U.S. Border Patrol have joined the search for Travis Decker, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Now, Whitney Decker is calling for changes to Washington state's Amber Alert system and improvements in mental health care for veterans as the search for the man stretched into its sixth day on June 6, according to reports. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert, but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. The agency instead issued a statewide Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the girls on May 31. As authorities intensify the search for Travis Decker, 32, a family attorney told local media outlets that Whitney Decker believes her daughters might still be alive had an Amber Alert been issued in the hours after they were reported missing. "She really feels that the system let her children down," Attorney Arianna Cozart said in an interview with KING 5. "It was the inadequacies in the services for our veterans that killed those children." Court filings revealed that Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths. Cozart told The Seattle Times that Travis Decker had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving active service. "They did not see him as an immediate physical danger to his children, despite the fact that he had a well established history of mental health issues," Cozart added. "And had they had seen it that way, those children might still be alive. And that's the thing that is so brutal, and the one thing she's really hoping can be changed in this tragedy." Cozart did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on June 5. 'One too many': Death of 3 girls in Travis Decker's custody is a familiar tragedy Chris Loftis, spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol, reiterated to USA TODAY that the request for an Amber Alert did not meet the system's guidelines, which are set by the U.S. Department of Justice. He said that, similar to other states, Washington's system has "specific criteria" to ensure that features of the program are only used in instances where the standards have been met. According to Loftis, the criteria include: "The person(s) must be 17 or younger." "The incident must be investigated by a law enforcement agency, and the subject must be entered into the National Crime Information Center." "There must be enough descriptive information that activating the alert will assist in the recovery." "There must be reason to believe the person has been abducted." "The missing person(s) must be known to be in danger of imminent serious bodily injury or death." While the first three criteria were met, Loftis said Travis Decker had limited custodial rights, and there was not immediate legal presumption that the girls were abducted when the Amber Alert requests were submitted on May 30 and May 31. He added that law enforcement does not "automatically have clear indication that the children are in danger" in situations where a custodial parent is late returning children to another parent. Loftis noted that discussions with local law enforcement did not mention danger as a concern. Citing notes from the intake specialist for Washington State Patrol's Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, Loftis said initial and follow-up reports from local police stated there was no threat of great bodily harm or death to the children at the time. The notes also showed that Travis Decker had previously "never diverted from the parenting plan in the past" and "no alarming mental health status" had been mentioned in the reports, other than "he may be 'going through a lot' after leaving the military and weathering housing and employment issues." Though the case did not meet the Amber Alert threshold, Loftis said there was "ample concern" and State Patrol had enough information to issue the EMPA. Unlike an Amber Alert, the EMPA does not send a push notification or text message to all cell phones in the targeted area about missing children. According to Loftis, issuing an EMPA allows law enforcement to post electronic fliers, send text messages and emails to listservs of people who have requested notification on all alerts, post vehicle information on highway reader boards, and promote coverage by state broadcasters. "The State of Washington handled this incident no differently than any other state with the information they had available. But all of that said, nothing, no process, and no set of standards can protect us from all evils and horrors," Loftis said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We learn from every tragedy, and I'm sure we will review and learn from this set of tragedies, but the depth of this sorrow is beyond a learning opportunity right now, it is a tragedy first and forever." Community mourns amid manhunt: Who were Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker? The three girls were found dead by apparent suffocation in a remote campground, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. Whitney Decker had reported the children missing on May 30 after they left their central Washington home to visit their father. On June 2, a Chelan County deputy found an unoccupied truck at about 3:45 p.m. local time near the Rock Island Campground. Officers found the bodies of the missing girls soon after, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. While Travis Decker was nowhere to be found, investigators traced his cell phone, which revealed that he visited the same campground the day before the kidnapping, the court documents show. Travis Decker is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in connection with the deaths, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. In an update on June 4, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said Travis Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before going off the grid using his extensive military and outdoor survival training. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Anthony Robledo, and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Death of 3 Decker sisters: Why wasn't Amber Alert issued?
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Search intensifies for Travis Decker, accused in slaying of 3 daughters
Search intensifies for Travis Decker, accused in slaying of 3 daughters Show Caption Hide Caption Manhunt for Travis Decker intensifies Authorities warn that Travis Decker, who is accused of kidnapping and killing his daughters, may be capable of surviving off the grid for months. Fox - Seattle Authorities in Washington have intensified the search for Travis Decker, who is wanted in the killing of his three young daughters. The state's governor on June 6 said he would tap into emergency funds and Washington National Guard resources to aid in the search. The bodies of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were found on June 2 at a remote campground. The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, reported to police that her ex-husband failed to return them after a scheduled custody visit on May 30, police said. The girls were found near Travis Decker's white truck having been suffocated, with Decker nowhere in sight, court records say. Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more Decker is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping and custodial interference. Gov. Bob Ferguson said on June 6 he was "tapping emergency funds and ordering Washington National Guard resources" to help in the search for Decker. Ferguson said he would also provide helicopters to law enforcement combing through remote areas of the state. "As a parent, my heart goes out to Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia's mom, Whitney, and all those who love them. The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state. I'm committed to supporting law enforcement as they seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia," Ferguson said. He reiterated a warning from local authorities to keep windows and doors locked. Chelan County Undersheriff Dan Ozment previously told residents in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas King, Snohomish, and Okanagan counties to remain on alert. What happened to the 3 sisters? The Decker sisters went with their father for a regularly scheduled custody visit on May 30 in central Washington but never returned. The parents were divorced, and Travis Decker was homeless and staying primarily in his truck. Whitney Decker reported them missing that day. Washington State Patrol issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) alert for the girls on May 31 after authorities found criteria wasn't met for an Amber Alert. Wenatchee police tracked Travis Decker's truck, a white 2017 GMC Sierra, and found it June 2 near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. Travis Decker was not there, but the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia were about 75 to 100 yards away from the truck. The girls likely died of asphyxiation, according to a probable cause affidavit. Each girl was found with a plastic bag over her head, and also showed signs of being zip-tied. Decker could be hiding in wilderness, authorities say Authorities said Travis Decker could be using his outdoor survival skills to be staying off law enforcement's radar. Decker went to mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said on June 4. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be (living) off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "He could have scoped out this area before (he) put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." Police have said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Chelan County Sheriff's Office said on June 5 it was narrowing its search for Decker after gathering "new information" in the case. "Our teams have written and executed several search warrants around the area and on electronic devices that belonged to Travis Decker," Ozment said, adding that officials had "gathered new information which in turn has given us more leads to follow up on." Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
'Evil': New video released in hunt for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters
Officials have released additional photos and new video they say show a Washington state father on the run from law enforcement in connection to the slayings of his three young daughters. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the killings of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5. Following a more than two-day search for the sisters, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies on Monday, June 2 found the siblings' bodies at a remote campground with plastic bags over each of their heads and evidence they had been zip-tied, court papers obtained by USA TODAY revealed. The tragic findings sparked a manhunt, and Chelan County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY on Thursday afternoon, June 5 it was narrowing its search for Decker after gathering "new information" in the case. An online fundraiser for sisters' mother had also raised nearly $1 million by Thursday afternoon, June 5. Authorities released new photos and videos of the suspect, Travis Decker, who was the subject of a manhunt involving local, state and federal officials. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the children missing Friday, May 30, police said, after the siblings left their Wenatchee home for a planned visit for their father. Their home is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Washington State Patrol issued a statewide Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the girls on Saturday, May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. Police tracked Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30. On Monday, June 2, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputy found the Travis Decker's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. Officials found the girls' bodies during a search near the truck, but their father was nowhere to be found. Officers searched the area immediately surrounding the vehicle and found the bodies of the three missing girls about 75-100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. Investigators traced Travis Decker's cell phone, which revealed he had visited the same campground a day prior to the girls' kidnapping, court papers show. More than $900,000 was raised in an online fundraiser to help the sibling's mother, Whitney Decker, as Travis Decker, her ex-husband, remained at large. "These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces," organizer Amy Edwards, of Wenatchee, wrote on the GoFundMe page. "I am upping the goal amount of this fundraiser so Whitney can take time off, care for herself and cover the final expenses of the girls without taking a financial hit," Edwards wrote on the page. "Every little bit counts. Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them." As of 2:30 p.m. ET on June 5, people had donated more than $900,00 to the fundraiser, which had a goal of over $1 million. "This world is full of suffering and evil that we will never understand," Edwards wrote in a separate post on her Facebook page. "Our hearts are broken and our souls are weary. Rest peacefully sweet angels. We will miss your beautiful light, your giggles and laughter and seeing you every week. Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia, you will never be forgotten." USA TODAY has reached out to Edwards. Just before noon local time on June 5, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office released updated information about law enforcement's efforts. "Our teams have written and executed several search warrants around the area and on electronic devices that belonged to Travis Decker," Undersheriff Dan Ozment said adding officials had "gathered new information which in turn has given us more leads to follow up on." Ozment did not elaborate but warned those who own cabins or live in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas King, Snohomish, and Okanagan counties to be on high alert because Decker was still at large. "As law enforcement conducts their searches, we are asking for those owners to lock allof their doors, to include any sheds out outbuildings, and leave their window blinds open and we recommend leaving outside lights on," Ozment wrote in the statement. Authorities in Washington state said Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before venturing into the wilderness using outdoor survival skills. Investigators learned from Decker's father he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at a June 4 news conference. In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker attended mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be (living) off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "He could have scoped out this area before (he) put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." The three girls likely died of asphyxiation, court filings reveal. "Their wrists were also zipped tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit, and each girl was found with a plastic bag over her head. Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths, the court filings show. Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Decker manhunt: New video released after 3 girls found dead
