Steel plate likely cause of I-90 fatality

RITZVILLE – Investigators from the Washington State Patrol are looking for help determining the origin of a steel plate, and how it came to be a factor in a fatal incident on Interstate 90.

Thomas M. Hosford, 73, of Eureka, Calif., died at the scene about 8 miles east of Ritzville in the 3:16 p.m., April 13 crash, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Hosford was westbound in a 2000 Ford pickup on Interstate 90 when his vehicle entered the median "before vaulting off an embankment," the patrol reported.

The vehicle came to rest on Hills Road, where it crosses underneath I-90, the patrol reported.

Hosford was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the patrol reported. It is not known if either drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Subsequent investigation revealed a large steel plate crashed through the windshield of the pickup, hitting the driver and leading to the crash, the patrol reported. The plate is about 14 inches long, 6 inches wide and rounded with a 1-inch hole drilled on one end.

Anyone who might have witnessed the crash or has information that can help track down where the steel plate came from is asked to contact state patrol detective Lewis Stevens at 509-227-6642 or email him at [email protected].