Cascade wrestling team safe after fatal crash

LEAVENWORTH — A head-on collision involving a Cascade High School bus left one person dead and two injured on Saturday morning. The Cascade Kodiak wrestling team, who was on the bus, was unharmed in the collision.

The bus was traveling northbound when it was struck by a 2003 Ford Ranger traveling southbound just after 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Washington State Patrol (WSP) said the one-car rollover collision took place at milepost 227 on State Route 97A, north of Knapps Tunnel.

All students and the coach were unharmed, but were checked out at Lake Chelan Health out of precaution. The bus driver received a non-critical injury, according to Cascade School District. The students were taken home by a second bus.

According to WSP, the driver of the pickup, 32-year-old Marco Trejo, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The passenger, a 63-year-old Entiat man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle is believed to have lost control on icy roads.

“Undoubtedly, it was a scary event, we are grateful our athletes are safe and remained mainly unharmed. As a coach you are proud of your wrestlers for having the courage to even step out on the mat. However, after seeing this team remain calm and support one another through this situation, it shows how special this team really is,” wrote CHS Wrestling Coach D’Andre Vasquez.

Vasquez expressed gratitude for the support and assistance from Cascade School District, Lake Chelan School District and Lake Chelan Health following the incident.

“We thank our bus driver and continue to keep him and all involved in our thoughts,” added Vasquez.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media