Two dead in crash near Ralston

RALSTON – Two people were killed in a head-on crash on state Highway 261 Wednesday evening between Washtucna and Ritzville.

John M. Gielisch, 65, of Ritzville, and Edward D. Bartlett, 63, of Yelm, were pronounced dead after the 6:24 p.m. crash near Milepost 54, north of Ralston, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Gielisch was northbound in a 1992 Ford Explorer when he crossed the center line and hit the southbound 2020 GMC Terrain, driven by Bartlett, the patrol reported.

The impact sent the Terrain into the ditch and the Explorer stopped in the center of the highway, prompting its closure...