Authorities Investigate Cause of Deadly I-82 Crash Near Grandview

A deadly single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning near Grandview has resulted in the death of a man from Union Gap and injuries to his passenger.

TROOPERS SAY THE DRIVER SPEED WAS A FACTOR IN THE CRASH

According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash happened on Interstate 82 within the city limits of Grandview when a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Miguel Britt was traveling westbound at a "high rate of speed." Troopers say Britt lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and crash.

READ MORE: A DEADLY SKYDIVING COLLISION IN CENTRAL WA

BOTH WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS

Emergency responders arrived to find that Britt had severe injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead later at a hospital in Richland. Authorities confirmed that he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The vehicle’s passenger, 21-year-old Nicole Wheeler of Kennewick, was also wearing her seatbelt and was injured during the crash. She was transported to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, where she is currently receiving treatment. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities working to find the exact cause to the crash.

FATALITIES ARE ON A DOWNWARD TREND

The tragic incident comes at a time when traffic fatalities across Washington state are showing signs of decline. According to preliminary data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, last year saw a significant drop in traffic-related deaths. The state recorded 659 fatalities in 2024, representing a decrease of more than ten percent compared to 737 deaths in 2023 and 809 in 2022.

A LOT OF PEOPLE KILLED

While these numbers are encouraging, officials emphasize that the current figures are still well above pre-pandemic levels. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual traffic deaths typically hovered in the 500s.

ANOTHER FATAL CRASH WAS REPORTED ON SATURDAY

A suspect has been arrested in a fatal crash reported Saturday near Granger. Yakima County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the crash at the intersection of Yakima Valley Highway and Hudson Road near Granger. When they arrived they found a 22-year-old man who had been ejected during the crash. A press release says despite life saving efforts Armando Escamilla Jr. died at the scene.

THE SUSPECT DRIVER FLED THE SCENE BUT WAS EVENTUALLY ARRESTED

Authorities say the suspect driver in the other vehicle fled the area after the crash. When authorities arrived they set up a perimeter and, with the help of a K9 from the Yakama Tribal Police Department, attempted a track of the suspect. They had a tough time trying to find the suspect until they received a tip saying he believed the suspect of the fatality was at a nearby dairy. The press release says after a short chase the suspect was taken into custody and booked into the Yakima County jail on a charge of hit and run fatality.

 ANOTHER CRASH REPORTED NEARBY

Authorities say Intoxicants did not appear to be a factor in the fatality crash.
However authorities say alcohol did play a factor in another crash that happened as authorities were processing the scene. They say an uninvolved vehicle went around the “road closed” barricades and nearly struck the Deputy's patrol vehicles. The driver was arrested for DUI.