Othello man jailed after attempting to elude police, faces vehicular homicide charge
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
Pedro Andres Ruiz, 18, of Othello, was involved in a collision Friday night which resulted in the fatality of one woman from Grandview. He is booked in Franklin County Jail for vehicular homicide/neglect and attempting to elude.
COURTESY PHOTO/WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
PASCO — A woman from Grandview died Friday night after an erratic‑driving incident in Pasco escalated into a pursuit and a fatal collision on Interstate 182, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Daniel Mosqueda.
Pasco Police first received multiple reports around 7:30 p.m. of a Ford F‑150 driving dangerously through the city. Officers located the pickup and initiated a brief pursuit, but “they ended up losing sight of the vehicle,” Mosqueda said.
After a short lapse in visual contact, officers discovered the truck again, this time on I‑182 near milepost 12 or 13. The driver, Pedro Andres Ruiz, 18, of Othello, exited the freeway and immediately re‑entered it, Mosqueda said. As the truck merged back onto the westbound lanes, it veered into the soft dirt shoulder, causing the driver to lose control.
“He collided into the center median cable barrier,” Mosqueda said.
The impact pushed the vehicle across the median and into oncoming lanes, where it struck another vehicle.
The driver of the struck vehicle, a woman in her early to mid‑50s from Grandview, died at the scene, according to State Patrol. Her identity has not been released according to Mosqueda.
Ruiz was booked into Franklin County Jail for vehicular homicide/neglect and attempting to elude according to the Franklin County Jail Roster.
With the crash occurring days before Super Bowl Sunday, Mosqueda emphasized the importance of planning ahead, especially as Washington fans prepare to celebrate the Seahawks’ championship appearance.
“We understand people are going to celebrate and visit family and friends,” he said. “But we want people to make good choices when it’s time to get back home.”
Mosqueda urged drivers to arrange transportation before celebrating and to avoid taking risks behind the wheel, this includes distracted driving.
“Please have a plan to get home safely before you start celebrating,” he said. “Whether that’s a rideshare, Uber, Lyft, taxi — or if you’re at someone else’s house, maybe it’s a better idea to just stay home and play it safe.”
State Patrol will have additional patrols on the road throughout the weekend.
“Our hope and our goal is that the motoring public will join our team and make the right choices to keep everybody safe,” Mosqueda said.
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