Heartbreaking Tragedy on Highway 395: Jerome and Gloria Venters Lose Their Lives in Devastating Crash

Chewelah, WA – What began as an ordinary Thursday drive turned into unimaginable tragedy when 74-year-old Jerome Venters and 76-year-old Gloria Venters, both of Deer Park, were killed in a devastating motorcycle crash near Chewelah.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. on October 9 on Highway 395, a stretch of road known for heavy traffic and narrow passing zones.

Investigators say a Jeep Patriot traveling northbound attempted to pass several vehicles when it collided head-on with the oncoming motorcycle ridden by Jerome and Gloria Venters. The impact was catastrophic. Both Jerome and Gloria were pronounced dead at the scene — their lives cut short in an instant by a moment of reckless decision-making.

The driver of the Jeep, identified as 52-year-old Ida Hildebrand, was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt and sustained injuries that required hospitalization. Authorities have since confirmed that Hildebrand is facing two counts of vehicular homicide.

A Split-Second Choice That Stole Two Lives

Witnesses described a horrifying scene — the sound of screeching tires, the echo of impact, and the sickening silence that followed. What was meant to be a quick pass turned deadly in a heartbeat. The force of the collision destroyed the motorcycle instantly, leaving debris scattered across the highway.

For Jerome and Gloria Venters, a couple known in Deer Park for their kindness, love, and lifelong devotion to one another, the tragedy was both sudden and cruel. Friends recall how they were inseparable — partners in marriage, in life, and even in their final moments.

First responders and bystanders worked desperately to render aid, but it was too late. The couple’s passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew them. The crash also serves as a sobering reminder that every decision behind the wheel carries consequences that can ripple across families and communities forever.

A Community Mourns and Demands Change on Dangerous Roads

As word of the tragedy spread, the Deer Park and Chewelah communities came together to grieve and to honor the lives of Jerome and Gloria. Their story has touched countless hearts — not only for the deep love they shared, but for the heartbreaking way it ended.

Friends describe Jerome as a gentle soul with a passion for the open road and Gloria as a loving, spirited woman who never met a stranger. Together, they embodied kindness, adventure, and faith. Now, their loved ones are left grappling with the unbearable reality that their lives were stolen by another’s careless act.

The Washington State Patrol’s investigation continues, but one truth is already clear: reckless driving destroys lives. The road is not just a strip of asphalt — it’s a place where choices matter, where patience can save lives, and where a single moment can mean the difference between life and death.