Man pleads guilty to Kreider's death

EPHRATA — The man responsible for killing a Soap Lake business owner in July pleaded guilty in Grant County Superior Court Tuesday.

Ronald Zigan, 31, Cheney, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide for striking Mildred Kreider with his Dodge Durango, while Kreider and her husband were riding their motorcycles on state Route 17.

Zigan admitted to Washington State Patrol officers he drank six or seven beers before he started driving his SUV southbound on the highway. The Durango crossed into the other lane, missing Kreider’s husband and striking the woman.

When police questioned Zigan, they smelled alcohol. The field test showed Zigan was intoxicated and he was transported to Columbia Basin Hospital to have his blood drawn. On route, Zigan refused having his blood drawn.

Prosecutor Angus Lee said Zigan pleaded guilty without any consideration, meaning the defense wasn’t given anything to accept the agreement. The prosecutor’s office is seeking an exceptional sentence for Zigan, which can range up to life in prison.

“I’m very happy that this chapter on the case is closed,” he said. “I think it was a good thing for the family. They are just a wonderful group of people and I was glad to be of service to them.”