Washington Accident Victim Listed in Serious Condition

A woman remains in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center from injuries she suffered in an accident in downtown Yakima, Washington late Saturday, said a hospital representative said Monday night.

Valerie Tallariti, 26, was driving a Chevrolet S-10 Blazer westbound on Yakima Avenue around 11:55 p.m. Saturday night when she was hit broadside by a Ford Explorer that had allegedly run a stop light, according to Yakima police. Both vehicles ended up off the roadway, with the Blazer on its side.

Tallariti was partially ejected from the vehicle and had to be extracted. She was transported to a Seattle hospital shortly after the crash. A passenger in the Blazer, Michael Gibbs, 23, was ejected from the vehicle and was listed in critical condition at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center Monday morning.

The Explorer’s driver drove from the accident scene but was later apprehended by police at a house and is now in the county jail for investigation of vehicular assault.