Man charged in Soap Lake woman's death

EPHRATA — A Cheney man allegedly drank six or seven beers before he struck and killed a Soap Lake business owner riding her motor cycle.

Ronald D. Zigan, 31, is charged with one count of vehicular homicide in Grant County Superior Court.

Zigan allegedly killed Mildred “Mid” Kreider on state Route 17, about 13 miles from Soap Lake.

Kreider and her husband, Jeff Kreider were riding their motorcycles northbound. Zigan was driving southbound in his Dodge Durango when he allegedly crossed into the northbound lane, forcing Jeff Kreider onto the shoulder, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

The SUV struck Mildred Kreider, who was traveling near the fog line behind her husband. The impact killed her, according to the police report.

When police questioned Zigan, they smelled alcohol coming from him. During a field sobriety test, Zigan allegedly told the officer he drank six or seven beers prior to driving. The field test reportedly showed Zigan was intoxicated and he was transported to Columbia Basin Hospital to have his blood drawn for a blood-alcohol level test.

On route, Zigan allegedly tried refusing having his blood drawn and additional officers were sent to the hospital. When they arrived, the Cheney man agreed to the test, according to the police report.

The test results were not included in the police report.