Motorcyclist killed, passenger airlifted after head-on collision near Chelan

CHELAN - A motorcyclist is dead, and his passenger was severely injured after a head-on collision Thursday afternoon on SR 97A south of Chelan.

According to Washington State Police, motorcyclist Wilhelm Penders, 59, and his passenger Christine L. Dunn, 60, both of Winthrop, were northbound on SR 97A just before 5 p.m. when Penders attempted to pass another vehicle using the southbound lane. The motorcycle struck an oncoming 2003 Nissan 350Z head-on.

The impact threw both riders off the motorcycle. Penders was later declared dead at Confluence Health Hospital. Dunn was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center.

The driver of the Nissan, Marcos Huerta, 32, of Chelan, was transported to Confluence Health with unknown injuries.

Both cyclists were wearing helmets.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media