Kennewick Woman Killed by DUI Driver While Working Construction

A woman from Kennewick was killed after being struck by a suspected DUI driver while working as a flagger in construction on Highway 11 outside Athena.

49 year old Tyresa Monaghan had just stopped a car around 8:40 pm while the crew she was with was paving part of Hwy-11. Another car, driven by 76 year old Leman Bledsoe, did not stop and sideswiped the car Monaghan had just stopped and plowed directly into her.

Bledsoe tried to drive off after hitting Monaghan and hit another car attempting to leave the scene. Another construction worker managed to block Bledsoe in with a tanker truck until police arrived.

A medical doctor was inside the other car Bledsoe hit and tried to treat Monaghan, but she died at the scene, according to reports.

Bledsoe is being held on charges of first-degree manslaughter, drunken driving, reckless endangerment and several other charges at the Umatilla County jail. He is being held on $750,000 bail.

Bledsoe was also convicted in 1987 for attempted murder and served several years in prison, according to reports.