Corrections officer dies in fatal Kennewick wreck

A Coyote Ridge corrections officer was killed Tuesday morning when he crashed his car on a residential street in Kennewick.

Christopher M. Sotelo, 30, of Kennewick, lost control of his Buick Regal around 3 a.m. near the intersection of South Kellogg Street and Creekstone Drive.

The car spun out, and the driver's side slammed into a tree, a fence and a light pole, said Kennewick traffic Sgt. Matt Newton.

Sotelo, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

Police believe speed may have contributed to the crash.

Sotelo had been a correctional officer at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center since October 2012, said Lori Wonders, the public information officer for the institution.

"He was a well-liked gentleman," Wonders said.

Another friend posted about him publicly on Facebook.

A Facebook memorial page, bit.ly/SoteloMemorial, was created for people to share thoughts and remembrances.

Cameron Probert: 509-582-1402; Twitter: @cameroncprobert

This story was originally published May 1, 2018 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Corrections officer dies in fatal Kennewick wreck."