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Wapato woman dies in accident, four other passengers injured
- By Review Staff
- Published 03/16/2010
- Front Page
- Unrated
A 46-year-old Wapato woman was killed and four others—including three children—were injured in a rollover accident late Sunday near Toppenish.
According to officials from the Washington State Patrol, Dianna M. Tahkeal of Wapato was southbound on Highway 97 at the McDonald Road intersection when the 1996 Plymouth van she was driving drifted to the right side of the roadway after she apparently fell asleep.
Tahkeal overcorrected and the van rolled, coming to rest on its wheels. She died at the scene from injuries. Four passengers in the van were also injured. Russell Tahkeal, 50, of Wapato had minor injuries. Mattea Tahkeal Whitford, age 8, M’Kayla Tahkeal Whiford, 11, and Michael E. Whitford III, 2, were transported by ambulance to Yakima Memorial Hospital.
The two-year-old was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
According to officials from the Washington State Patrol, Dianna M. Tahkeal of Wapato was southbound on Highway 97 at the McDonald Road intersection when the 1996 Plymouth van she was driving drifted to the right side of the roadway after she apparently fell asleep.
Tahkeal overcorrected and the van rolled, coming to rest on its wheels. She died at the scene from injuries. Four passengers in the van were also injured. Russell Tahkeal, 50, of Wapato had minor injuries. Mattea Tahkeal Whitford, age 8, M’Kayla Tahkeal Whiford, 11, and Michael E. Whitford III, 2, were transported by ambulance to Yakima Memorial Hospital.
The two-year-old was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

