2 die in Franklin County collision

MESA — A Monday afternoon collision near Mesa in Franklin County left two Moses Lake residents dead.

About 4 p.m. German Negrete, 17, of Moses Lake was driving a 2005 Ford Focus north on state Route 17, about 13 miles north of Mesa, when he crossed into the southbound lanes to pass traffic. The Focus was reportedly struck by a southbound 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck driven by Joseph Richard, 50, of Boise, Idaho, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Negrete and his passenger, Magdalena Diaz, 61, of Moses Lake, died at the scene of the collision. Richard was not injured. Both of the vehicles involved in the collision were totaled and impounded.

It is not known if Negrete and Diaz were wearing seatbelts or if alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision. The patrol reports Richard was wearing a seatbelt. The cause of the collision is under investigation.

— Staff report