Basin briefs for Jan. 3, 2020

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man pleaded guilty Tuesday to threatening to kill a woman.

Brett Ottmar, 21, pleaded guilty to domestic violence felony harassment, threats to kill. A first-time offender, Ottmar was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 6 months in community custody, and will be required to undergo court-ordered anger management training.

According to police, it was not the first time Ottmar had threatened to kill the woman, and the victim believed the threats were credible because Ottmar had access to firearms.

Semi driver sent to hospital after collision

SUNNYSIDE — A Mattawa man was transported to a regional hospital Monday after he lost control of his semi truck on state Route 241 in Yakima County.

The driver, Yobani Cruz, 25, was traveling southbound on the highway near milepost 19, 10 miles north of Sunnyside, when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the northbound lane. The vehicle stopped when it came to rest in a ditch.

Cruz called police to report the collision, according to a report by the State Patrol. Though drugs and alcohol were ruled out by responding officers, Cruz will be charged with driving too fast for conditions, the WSP wrote.

Ephrata man pleads guilty to DV assault

MOSES LAKE — An Ephrata man pleaded guilty Tuesday to threatening to kill two family members with a knife.

Salvador Vega Garcia, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree domestic violence assault. He was sentenced to six months in jail and 12 months of community custody, and was ordered to surrender any firearms or other dangerous weapons to the Ephrata Police Department for up to five years.

Witnesses told police that Garcia, a seasonal worker, was temporarily jobless and tended to drink when he was out of work. Witnesses said Garcia’s intoxication made him more aggressive.