Itzel Velez-Vazquez and 2 Others Hurt in SR 97A Crash

Three Injured in Rollover Crash on SR 97A Near Chelan

Chelan, WA (August 24, 2026) — 19-year-old Itzel Velez-Vazquez was among three Chelan-area teens who suffered injuries Friday afternoon after their vehicle left Highway 97A and rolled into a ditch near Wilmorth Drive.

The Washington State Patrol said the crash happened around 5:30 p.m., about a mile east of Chelan. The vehicle traveled off the roadway, overturned, and came to rest while partially blocking the highway.

A 17-year-old Chelan driver, a 17-year-old passenger from Manson, and Velez-Vazquez all went to a hospital for treatment. Authorities did not release the minors’ names.

All three occupants wore seat belts. The Washington State Patrol said investigators suspect drugs or alcohol played a role, and the driver could face charges after the investigation.

Let’s Drive Safer Together

High-speed crashes can occur in the blink of an eye, but so many are preventable with small, intelligent decisions. Pay attention, don’t get distracted (say, by texting) and never drive after drinking. As ever – obey speed limits, buckle up and keep plenty of room between yourself and other vehicles. These are small enough measures to save lives — including your own.

We can all take steps to help keep our roads safe for ourselves, our families and our communities.

Never drive after using alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving can severely affect judgment and reaction time and put everyone on the road at risk.

File a Personal Injury Claim in Case of Traffic Collision

A personal injury claim following a traffic collision is a legal process that allows an injured party to seek compensation for physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the accident. These claims arise when a driver’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions lead to an accident resulting in injuries.

The first step in pursuing a personal injury claim is to establish fault. This normally involves gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and photographs of the accident scene. A skilled attorney from Sweet Lawyers can help establish who was responsible for the accident, which is, indeed, necessary for determining liability.

Once the fault is established, the injured party can then pursue compensation for damages, which may include but are not limited to medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Consequently, medical documentation and witnesses’ testimonies are essential for proving the extent of the injuries and their impact on the victim’s life.

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that the statute of limitations, or the time frame within which a personal injury claim must be filed, varies by state. Meaning, if a claim is not filed within this window, the victim and the family of the victim may lose the right to seek compensation.

Know that a personal injury claim may be complex, but it offers an essential avenue that helps the victims to recover damages and hold negligent drivers accountable.

Seek Justice and Compensation

Consult with Sweet Lawyers’ personal injury attorneys, and let us get the maximum compensation for you.

Call us at (800) 674-7852 or click here to chat with us.