Hunting Accident Leaves Man In Hospital and With Wounds To Hands And Face

Yakima County Sheriff's Office Press Release-On 11/6/11, at about 3:30 p.m., a 45-year-old man was struck by multiple shotgun pellets while bird hunting west of Mabton near Hwy 22. The man was hunting with a large family group for quail and pheasant. When several birds flushed, the shooting commenced and Rogelio Torres was struck by a shotgun blast despite his lack of feathers. Torres was hit in the hands and face with pellets. He was initially taken to the Sunnyside Hospital for treatment, and later transferred to a Yakima hospital. Torres’ injuries were not life-threatening.

The unfortunate accident is being investigated by Yakima Co Sheriff’s deputies for the proper use of hunting and firearm safety procedures. Hunting of upland game birds requires the use of hunter orange, and hunting in large groups increases the chances of an accidental shooting. This incident could likely been avoided by following commonly accepted firearm safety practices.