Sunday collision puts one in hospital, one in jail

MATTAWA - A 35-year-old Mattawa man was arrested for DUI after a collision which severely injured a Sunnyside man Sunday evening, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement responded to a report of a collision at the intersection of Road R Southwest and Road 25 Southwest around 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Luis Garcia, 35, was allegedly driving a 2016 Kia Sorento east on Road 25 when he drove past a stop sign, colliding with 33-year-old Efrain Verdi-Rodriguez of Sunnyside, who was traveling north. The collision sent both vehicles spinning off the road and into a vineyard, according to law enforcement.

Verdin-Rodriguez was transported by ambulance to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland for treatment of a fracture in his neck, broken ribs, and a broken pelvis. He is in stable condition but expected to have to undergo surgery for his injuries. Despite the condition of his vehicle, Garcia was not severely injured, according to law enforcement.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Motor Traffic Unit is investigating the collision as a vehicular assault, and additional charges may be pending.

Both vehicles were destroyed. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. Officials with the Sheriff’s Office were not able to clarify what substance Garcia was allegedly under the influence of.