Kennewick Man Dies in Fatal Highway 12 Crash Near White Pass, WA
A 45-year-old Kennewick man died Tuesday night after his pickup truck left U.S. Highway 12 near White Pass Ski Resort in Yakima County, Washington. The man, identified as Michael McMullin, was driving eastbound just after 8 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. His truck left the highway and came to rest on the shoulder, and McMullin was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and investigators have not yet said whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
According to AppleValleyNewsNow.com, Washington State Patrol troopers responded to the crash roughly one mile east of the White Pass Ski Resort and confirmed McMullin was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The outlet reported that the cause of the crash remains under investigation and that it is not yet known whether impairment was a factor. WSP has not released additional details about the exact cause of the roadway departure. The case remains open as troopers continue gathering evidence from the scene.
Kennewick man identified in fatal crash in Yakima County
Where It Happened
US Highway 12 eastbound, about one mile east of White Pass Ski Resort, Yakima County, Washington
What the Law Says
Washington’s basic speed rule, RCW 46.61.400, requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions present, including curves, grade, and visibility, regardless of the posted limit. Mountain highways like U.S. 12 near White Pass often require speeds well below the general limit because of sharp curves and elevation changes. When a driver fails to adjust for these conditions and loses control, investigators often examine whether the basic speed rule was violated. This statute is commonly cited in single-vehicle roadway-departure crashes like this one.
Washington’s wrongful death statute, RCW 4.20.010, allows the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of a person killed in a crash to pursue a civil claim for their losses. This can include compensation for lost financial support, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship. Even in a crash that appears to involve only one vehicle, a wrongful death claim can examine whether road conditions, a vehicle defect, or another party’s negligence contributed to the fatal outcome. Surviving family members generally have three years from the date of death to file such a claim in Washington.
This summary is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts.
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