Two die in motorcycle accident, missing kayaker's body recovered

July 14

Washington State Patrol reports that two people died in an accident between a motorcycle and a pickup on July 14 at 10:30 p.m., at Coles Corner.  Motorcycle driver Jason A. Rude-Jonason, 42, and passenger Tiffany L. Rutherford, 42, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The two were southbound on Route 207 on a 2009 Kawasaki  ZX 600 motorcycle and collided with the rear of a 1996 Ford F-150 while traveling at a high rate. The two were wearing helmets while on the motorcycle. The two people in the pickup, Julie Sullivan, 48, of Leavenworth and her passenger Christopher Sullivan, were not injured.  The roadway was closed a little over an hour after the incident. The accident is under investigation.

July 22

 It was determined the water level had receded enough to search the area thoroughly without hazard to the searchers. The swift water rescue team, volunteers, and Chelan County Fire District 9 were able to locate the body around 4 p.m. a mile downstream from where he was last seen. A Sheriff’s Department helicopter was used to lift Henninger’s body from the river gorge.

 The area has steep embankments, thick trees and brush making it difficult to maneuver from the river to the road.

July 23

Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reported that the body of missing kayaker William Henninger was recovered the previous day. He was last seen on June 25 kayaking on the Little Wenatchee River with a partner. Henninger and his partner encountered extremely rough water. The partner was able to exit the water, but Henninger was not seen after going through a waterfall.