PROSSER -- A late-night collision killed a semi-truck driver and closed Highway 221 south of Prosser for almost nine hours.
James D. Spicer, 57, of Selah, was driving a 2002 Peterbilt semi-truck south on the highway Sunday night when he crossed the centerline and hit another semi head-on, the Washington State Patrol said.
The crash happened about 10:50 p.m., about 14 miles south of Prosser.
Spicer was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. He died four hours later.
The second driver, Dale H. Stenquist, 58, of Logan, Utah, suffered minor injuries and wasn't hospitalized, troopers said.
Both men were wearing seat belts.
The cause of the wreck remains under investigation.
Gunman tries to rob store in Walla Walla
WALLA WALLA -- A lone gunman tried to rob a Walla Walla convenience store Sunday night, but got away without any money when he could not get the cash register open, police said.
The robber went to Tom's Southgate Chevron, 857 S. Second Ave., at 5:15 p.m., displayed a handgun and demanded cash, said Officer Tim Bennett.
Before the clerk could open the cash register, a customer came in and the clerk yelled to the customer to call police and then ran off, Bennett said.
The customer also ran out of the business.
A short time later, the robber left after failing to open the register.
He was last seen running north away from the convenience store.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses, Bennett said.
They also are investigating whether Sunday's robbery can be linked to two other recent robberies in the area.
The basic description of the suspect is similar in the three incidents, but right now there's nothing definitive linking the three cases, Bennett told the Herald.
An armed robber held up the Taj Food Mart on Oct. 26 and the Los Tapatios Market on Nov. 3. In both of those cases, the suspect ran away from the stores, then hopped onto a bicycle and rode away.
Anyone with information on the robberies, can call Walla Walla police at 509-527-1960.
34-year-old Hermiston man dies after being shot
HERMISTON -- A 34-year-old man died in a shooting over the weekend in Hermiston.
Heriberto Aparicio Garcia of Hermiston was pronounced dead at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston after arriving at the hospital around 4 a.m. Saturday, Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus said.
Jesus Carrillo Jr., 25, was arrested Sunday and booked into the Umatilla County jail, Primus said.
Carrillo was arrested by Hermiston police, according to the online jail records. He is being held on suspicion of murder and a parole violation.
Acting Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston told the East Oregonian that Garcia and Carrillo got into a dispute early that morning at Garcia's home at 1215 S.W. 11th St.
Carrillo fired one shot at Garcia, the newspaper said.
The Umatilla/Morrow Major Crime Team was activated to investigate the shooting.
2 arrested on drug charges by gang team
BENTON CITY -- Two Benton City residents were arrested on drug charges by the newly created Benton County Gang Team.
Gang team detectives developed information about alleged drug activity at a home at 56606 N. Frazier Road, and searched the home late Friday with help from Benton County sheriff's deputies, said Deputy Joe Lusignan.
During the search, detectives found methamphetamine, scales and packaging material for distribution, he said.
Brian Thomas Lee, 47, and Jennie I. Clossen, 29, both residents of the home, were arrested and booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of possessing meth with intent to deliver.
Detectives also arrested Anthony W. Folino, 40, of Pasco, on suspicion of possessing marijuana, and Michael J. Templeton, 40, of Benton City, on several unrelated warrants.
-- Paula Horton: 509-582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com
