Kittitas County Press Release
Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two 16 year old High School Students Die in Carsh
Kittitas County, WA - 06/16/2011 - Three local students crashed on Coleman Road around Midnight. Two died at the scene and the third was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center.
Just before midnight on 6/15/11 there was a one car rollover collision on Coleman Canyon Rd at approximately MP 2, in an area known as ‘The Orchard’, which is about 15 miles North of Ellensburg. The vehicle was traveling down (south) Coleman Canyon Rd and drove off the roadway just prior to a corner. The vehicle rolled and landed on its top in a draw on the east side of the road.
The driver of the vehicle, Taylor Lanning, a 16 year old Ellensburg High School student, was pronounced dead at the scene. Colby Allemand, a 16 year old Kittitas High School student, was a passenger in the vehicle and was also pronounced dead at the scene. Kassidy Gilmore, a 15 year old Kittitas High School student, was also a passenger in the vehicle and was airlifted to Harborview and, as of 4:00 AM, is listed in serious but stable condition.
The next of kin have been notified for each respective person. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash. The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the circumstances.
The three had been camping with other students further up Coleman Canyon Road where alcohol was being consumed. The three victims were last seen around 8:30PM when one of the camp members heard their vehicle leaving. When they did not return, other members from the camp went looking for them. They found the crash site and notified the Sheriff’s Office.
‘This is among the worst tragedies we have seen and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the children who were lost. This event re-enforces the need to find more effective ways to address underage drinking in our community’.
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Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact (media only): Clayton Myers, 509-925-8534, clay.myers@co.kittitas.wa.us
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