Former police chief, teen killed in head-on crash near Redmond

NEAR REDMOND, Wash. — A former Redmond police chief and a teenager were killed in a crash Sunday night east of Redmond.

The Redmond Police Department said one of the victims was former Chief Steve Harris.  Harris led the department for 28 years. He was 68.

Just after 9 p.m., three vehicles collided at the intersection of State Route 202 and 244th Avenue Northeast.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a Dodge pickup driven by a 16-year-old was heading eastbound on SR 202 when it hit a Ford Explorer, driven by Harris, that was heading westbound.  As the pickup continued driving eastbound in the westbound lanes, it struck a Mercedes.

Both the Dodge and the Explorer rolled over.

The driver of the Dodge and Harris, who was driving the Explorer, were killed.  Harris’ wife, Margaret, who was a passenger in the Explorer, was critically injured.

The driver of the Mercedes had only minor injuries despite major damage to the vehicle.

The intersection was closed for more than eight hours and reopened just before 6 a.m. Monday.

Harris stepped down from his position of chief five years ago.

"When you meet him once, you're a friend for life. He had just such an outgoing personality," said current Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson.

KIRO