Cle Elum, WA — March 10, 2025, Gary Hartig died in a truck accident at about 12:25 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 90 in Kittitas County.
Authorities said a 2007 Kenworth construction truck crashed into a 2022 Ford Bronco after traffic slowed because there was debris in the left lane. A 2005 Nissan Altima was hit as well.
Ford driver Gary L. Hartig, 70, died on March 11 after being transported to an area hospital, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
The truck driver was charged with negligent driving in the second degree after the crash, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Kittitas County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes where a commercial truck rear-ends a slowing or stopped vehicle raise serious concerns about following distance, reaction time and whether the truck driver had enough time to stop safely. In this case, reports indicate that traffic on Interstate 90 had slowed due to debris in the road when a Kenworth construction truck crashed into a Ford Bronco, ultimately causing fatal injuries to the driver. The fact that the truck driver has been charged with negligent driving suggests that investigators believe the crash could have been prevented.
One of the first questions investigators should answer is whether the truck driver was paying attention to the road ahead. Trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles, especially when carrying heavy loads. Was the driver following too closely, or did they fail to notice traffic slowing in time to react? Reviewing black box data, dashcam footage and any available witness statements will be critical in understanding whether inattention or distraction played a role.
Another key factor is the road and traffic conditions at the time of the crash. When debris is in the roadway, sudden slowdowns can create hazards for all drivers, but professional truck drivers are expected to anticipate and respond to changing traffic conditions. Was the truck traveling too fast for the situation? Were weather conditions, road design or visibility factors that may have affected reaction time? These details should be carefully examined.
The fact that another vehicle, a Nissan Altima, was also hit raises additional concerns about whether the truck driver attempted any evasive action. If the truck swerved or braked too late, it may indicate that the driver failed to leave enough space or was caught off guard by the slowdown.
At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on issuing a citation without investigating why the truck driver failed to stop in time — whether due to distraction, speed or poor reaction time — they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.
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