Yakima man dead after collision and car fire near Prosser

A Yakima man died after his car caught on fire following a collision on Highway 221.

Dirk J. Berends, 30, was driving a Chevy Cavalier north on the highway at 4 p.m. Saturday about seven miles south of Prosser, when he went off the road, the Washington State Patrol said.

He swerved back onto the highway, crossed the center line and hit a Ford Focus. Both cars caught fire.

Berends died at the scene.

It’s not clear whether he was pulled from the car before it caught fire.

The Focus’ driver, Adan Montes-Ortiz, 47, of Sunnyside, and his 17-year-old passenger were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Their condition is not known.

The highway was closed for about two hours for the investigation.

This story was originally published August 13, 2017 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Yakima man dead after collision and car fire near Prosser."