Moses Lake man dies in Othello accident

OTHELLO — A Moses Lake man was killed in a two-vehicle accident in Othello on Wednesday after the driver of the vehicle he was in failed to yield to a semi-truck.

About 5:05 p.m. Francisco Ruiz Cedeno, 35, of East Wenatchee, was driving a 2005 Kia mini-van south on First Avenue in Othello. The Kia then reportedly crossed onto state Route 26 and reportedly failed to yield to a 1998 Peterbilt semi-truck driven by Jorge Lopez Mendoza, 59, of Royal City. Cedeno’s vehicle was struck in the passenger side by the semi, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A passenger in the Kia, Adelfo Ferreyra Ceja, 44, of Moses Lake, died in the accident. Two other passengers in the Kia, Daniel Hernandez Selgado, 25, of Baldwin Park, Calif., and Arturo Ruiz Chavez, 59, of Woodbridge, Calif., were injured and transported to Othello Community Hospital for treatment. Ruiz Chavez was later airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for further treatment.

Both of the vehicles involved in the accident sustained reportable damages. Ruiz Cedeno was cited for failure to yield, according to the patrol.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.