Mattawa man may face vehicular homicide charge

A Lind man died and a Mattawa man was injured, and may face a vehicular homicide charge, due to an early Sunday collision on state Route 243 near Desert Aire.

Sergio N. Rodriguez Lopez, 21, of Mattawa, was driving south just before 12:42 a.m. at milepost 10 in a black 2015 GMC Sierra when he tried passing a white 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Esteban Tenorio Placido, 45, of Pasco.

The GMC sideswiped the Chevrolet, then struck a northbound black 2007 Cadillac Escalade head on, which was driven by Francisco J. Novoa, 51, of Lind, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The GMC came to rest facing north in the south lane. The Chevrolet stopped on the south shoulder and the Cadillac stopped facing south down an embankment off the northbound shoulder.

Novoa died at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt. His vehicle was totaled.

Rodriguez Lopez was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland for his injuries and may be charged with vehicular homicide, as the WSP plans to file the charge with prosecutors. He was not wearing a seat belt. His vehicle was totaled.

Placido and his two passengers, Claudia Garcia Santiago, 47, of Pasco, and Leslie Tenorio, 18, of Pasco, were not injured. All three wore seat belts. Their vehicle was driven from the scene with reportable damage.