Fatal Crash Shuts Down the Lewis Street Exit off US-395 in Pasco

#UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE:

A serious and fatal crash happened just after 11 AM this morning on the on-ramp and off-ramp connecting US-395 to Lewis Street in Pasco, Washington. The Lewis Street exit will be closed for hours as investigators work the scene.

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If you are heading into downtown Pasco right now, find another route.

Credit Michael McDonnal

What the Scene Looks Like

Two vehicles were involved, an older black lifted truck and a newer dark navy blue SUV, likely a Suburban (UPDATE was a Chevrolet Silverado). From what could be seen at the scene, the two vehicles appear to have hit head-on at high speed.

The older black truck is almost completely destroyed and is lying on its roof with one axle sitting perpendicular to the road and the engine displaced entirely from the vehicle. What remains of the truck is almost unrecognizable.

The front driver side of the dark blue SUV is catastrophically damaged, with a large portion of the front quarter of the vehicle missing entirely. Vehicle parts and debris are scattered across a wide area of the roadway.

A person was seen lying in the road covered by a white sheet.

Credit Michael McDonnal

A Massive Emergency Response Is on Scene

At least 20 or more first responders were on scene from a quick count: Pasco Police, Washington State Patrol, and WSDOT crews. This is an active fatal investigation, and no information has been officially released yet.

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Our thoughts go out to the victims and the families involved. Word on the scene is that more than one person was killed, but no official word yet. We will update this story as more information is released.

We will update this story as information is released by authorities.

#UPDATE Two people have been confirmed killed. 32-year-old Alex Licon was exiting US-395 in a Chevrolet Silverado northbound and crossed the center line. His vehicle struck a Ford Expedition head-on, driven by 53-year-old Marco A. Mendoza Ortiz from Pasco.

Both men were pronounced deceased when officers arrived on the scene. The Washington State Patrol says speed was a contributing factor.

Credit Michael McDonnal