Crash near Washtucna claims 1, closes road
One person died in a collision on state Route 26 west of Washtucna late Thursday morning.
COURTESY PHOTO/WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
WASHTUCNA — A collision on state Route 26 just west of Washtucna claimed a life Thursday morning, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Matthew L. Cunnington, 24, of Dayton was declared deceased at the scene, according to the WSP.
At a little after 11 a.m., Cunnington was driving a 2011 Ford F150 southbound on Marcellus Road about six miles west of Washtucna and failed to stop at the stop sign on SR 26, said WSP Public Information Officer Sgt. Greg Riddell. The pickup was struck by a semi-truck, driven by Manuel Aguilar Diaz, 39, of Yakima, travelling westbound on SR 26. Cunnington's vehicle came to rest on the westbound shoulder of the highway. The semi came to rest on the eastbound shoulder.
Aguilar Diaz was transported as a precaution but was not reported injured, Riddell said.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, Riddell said, and it was unknown whether drugs or alcohol was a factor.
SR 26 was down to one lane between SR 395 and SR 261 at 3 p.m., Riddell said. It reopened fully at 4 p.m., according to a WSP statement.
This story has been updated from its original version.