SR 17 accident leaves one dead

SOAP LAKE - An Ephrata man is dead after a single-vehicle crash Monday night just south of Soap Lake. Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Collin Cumaravel said that David Neilan, 61 of Ephrata, was driving a 1997 Ford Ranger northbound along SR 17 when it left the roadway and rolled. The accident occurred at 10:15 p.m. at milepost 73 and blocked the roadway for several hours. Neilan was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The cause for the accident is still under investigation but the release said he was not wearing a seatbelt. Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.