OROVILLE – Three children, all under 10-years-old, were airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical following a rollover accident on Highway 97 near O’Neil Road Sunday afternoon, July 6.

The driver, Rodimero Bejar-Alvarez, 32, Tonasket, was traveling southbound on SR97 about four miles south of Oroville when he swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle attempting to make a left turn onto O’Neil Road, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper N. Lull. Bejar-Alvarez’ 2001 Ford Expedition rolled and came to a rest in the southbound ditch, said Trooper Lull in his incident report.

The driver was transported to North Valley Hospital in Tonasket and the three girls, ages five, seven and nine, were airlifted to Sacred Heart in Spokane. All three of the unnamed Tonasket girls were listed by Trooper Lull as not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

The condition of the children is not known at this time.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, as are possible charges against the driver of the vehicle.

The Ford Expedition was listed as “totaled” and towed by Thompson Bees.