Ephrata boy, 8, dies in vehicle crash on Hwy. 17
Emergency vehicles line state Route 17 on Saturday. They responded to a fatal crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old Ephrata boy, Daniel Vazquez Lopez.
MOSES LAKE - An Ephrata boy, 8, was killed Saturday in a two-vehicle crash on state Route 17 eight miles north of Moses Lake.
Daniel Vazquez Lopez died about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the scene of the collision.
He was riding with Teresa Vazquez Lopez, 50, of Ephrata, who was driving a white 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner allegedly left the road to the right, heading north on state Route 17.
According to the State Patrol, she over corrected into the south lane, striking a 2013 Toyota Highlander driving south. Both vehicles were reported totalled.
Danny L. O'neal, 57, of Othello, was driving the Highlander and transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake with undisclosed injuries. Tamra S. O'neal, 57, of Othello was a passenger in the Highlander and also transported to Samaritan Hospital with injuries.
Teresa Vazquez Lopez was airlifted to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.
According to a state patrol report, the boy was not wearing a seatbelt.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation and any charging recommendations are pending.
The boy was a second-grade student at North Elementary School in Moses Lake, according to Michelle Price, the school district's superintendent, on Sunday.
"Words can't express our sorrow for the family," she said. Counselors were moved to the school today to support students and staff, and will stay as long as needed, Price said.
This is the second fatal collision involving a child on state Route 17 this year. A Moses Lake man and his 13-year-old daughter were killed in January when the driver of a semi-truck turned in front of their vehicle.
Managing Editor Lynne Lynch contributed to this report.