Franklin Connection - Serving Franklin County, WA

SELAH — A Pasco woman walking in a closed highway lane was killed early this morning when she was struck by a car.

Bonnie M. Stewart, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:31 a.m. on state Highway 823, two miles northeast of Selah, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Jada J. Gibson, 21, of Toppenish, who was driving the 2006 Volkswagen Passat that struck and killed Stewart, was arrested, the patrol reported, noting alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Gibson was booked into the Yakima County Jail for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide jail records show. As of this morning, she was being held without bail.

According to the patrol, Gibson was northbound on the highway at a Yakima River bridge at the time of incident.

The northbound lanes of the highway were closed for active construction, the patrol reported, noting traffic was being alternated in southbound lanes.

A 2013 Peterbilt truck and a 2000 Ford Ranger were parked on the northbound shoulder, with driver Greg N. Voris, 55, of Union Gap, sitting in the cab with his seatbelt on, the patrol reported.

Gibson's car struck the truck, hit Stewart and then struck the parked Ford Ranger, the patrol said. Voris witnessed the incident and called 911.

Neither Gibson nor Voris were injured, the patrol said. But Gibson's two passengers — Ganell G. Arthur, 18, of Wapato; and Jenna J. Gibson, 20, of Toppenish — were both injured and taken to an area hospital.

Arthur was wearing a seatbelt, but troopers don't know if Jenna Gibson was wearing one, the patrol said.

All three vehicles were towed to the Yakima detachment 's bullpen and impounded as evidence.