Kettle Falls man involved in DUI-related crash

COLVILLE, Wash. — A 48-year-old Kettle Falls man was involved in a two-vehicle crash that injured both drivers on Highway 395 8 miles south of Colville this morning. 

Shaun M. Mercer, charged with driving under the influence, was transported by Medstar helicopter to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, according to Washington State Patrol. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

A hospital official this afternoon said the facility didn't have a patient registered under that name.

According to WSP, Mercer was southbound in a 1999 Ford F250 pickup at 9:09 a.m. when the vehicle crossed the center line and struck the driver's side of a 2007 Chevy C10 pickup driven by William R. DeWitt, 74, Addy, Wash.

The Ford went off the road, struck a culvert and came to rest in the road. The Chevy went off the road into a ditch.

DeWitt, who was wearing his seatbelt, was transported to Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville. A hospital rep this afternoon said the facility didn't have a patient registered under his name.

The southbound lane was closed for about 40 minutes, while the northbound lane was closed nearly three hours during the investigation.