Fatal head-on crash in Chelan claims life, injures six; Alcohol believed to be factor

CHELAN - A fatal two-vehicle collision claimed the life of one man and left another in critical condition on State Route 150 near Shop Road in Chelan. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:00 pm on March 31, involved a 2005 Honda Accord and a 2014 Toyota Tundra towing a large travel trailer, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.

The incident involved a 2005 Honda Accord driven by 23-year-old Mateo Villa-Morales and a 2014 Toyota Tundra driven by a 51-year-old male from Pasco, Washington, who was towing a large travel trailer.

Witnesses reported that the Honda Accord was traveling at a high rate of speed when it failed to navigate a curve, causing it to cross the center line and collide head-on with the Toyota Tundra. The passenger in the Honda Accord, identified as 32-year-old Jose Morales-Rosas, was pronounced dead at the scene. Villa-Morales, the driver of the Honda Accord, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

The driver and four passengers of the Toyota Tundra were transported to Lake Chelan Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities believe that alcohol played a role in the collision, and Villa-Morales is currently under investigation for DUI, Vehicular Homicide, and Vehicular Assault.