Priest River man injured in crash

IONE — A Priest River man was injured Friday after driving off State Route 20 and crashing into a power pole, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The patrol said Austin C. Murphy was northbound when his vehicle left the roadway shortly before 6:30 a.m. Murphy, 24, was transported to Newport Hospital.

A passenger in the vehicle, Alexander R. Smith, a 27-year-old from Cusick, suffered minor injuries in the collision and was not transported to the hospital, WSP said in a news release.

Murphy was not wearing a seat belt, while Smith was, the patrol said.

Murphy was cited for leaving the roadway and failing to provide proof of insurance.

Alcohol was ruled out as a factor in the crash, which was attributed to fatigue by Murphy. Murphy’s Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicle was totaled in the crash, WSP said.