A 40-year-old Desert Aire man died at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland on October 23, 2026, days after a three-vehicle crash on State Route 24 northeast of Sunnyside, Washington. The collision happened around 5:41 a.m. on October 19 near the Vernita Bridge and involved two cars and a semi-truck. Two drivers were hurt and taken to the hospital. The semi-truck driver was reportedly not injured.
According to AppleValleyNewsNow.com, the Washington State Patrol believes a 42-year-old Richland driver, traveling eastbound, crossed the center line and struck the westbound car of the Desert Aire man, which then hit the semi-truck. The outlet reports WSP lists improper lane travel as the believed cause, says drugs and alcohol were not involved, and that the Richland driver faces a second-degree negligent driving charge. Source One News also reports the collision remains under investigation. A charge is an allegation, not a finding of fault.
