Latah man killed in crash

FAIRFIELD – Excessive speed and possibly alcohol are believed to be factors in a crash here that killed a Latah man late Saturday evening, Oct. 8.

Anthony J. Silva, 27, of Latah, was pronounced dead at the scene at the intersection of State Highway 27 and Main Street, the Washington State Patrol reported.

The crash occurred about 8:19 p.m., the patrol reported.

Silva was northbound in a 2005 Mini Cooper at an “excessive speed,” the patrol reported.

Jeffrey W. Gunderson, 56, of Potlatch, Idaho, was turning southbound onto the highway from Main Street in a 2011 Brenner tanker truck with a 2006 trailer in tow, the patrol said. Silva’s Mini Cooper struck the rear axle of the trailer.

Silva was killed in the crash; Gunderson was not injured, the patrol said, noting alcohol is also believed to have been a contributing factor in the fatal crash.

Gunerson was wearing a seatbelt while Silva was not, the patrol reported.