Elderly woman found dead in burning car south of Kennewick

An 85-year-old woman died inside her car when the tailpipe started a field fire and she couldn’t escape, according to fire officials.

Benton County sheriff’s deputies are still investigating, but officials initially believe the woman was trying to turn around late Sunday night on Nicoson Road when her car slid down an embankment, said Tracy Baker, Benton County Fire District 1 public information officer.

Baker said it appears the unidentified woman couldn’t get to safety as the car ignited the grass.

District 1 firefighters found her body inside the burning car as they battled the brush fire, which scorched about 50 yards of sagebrush and grass.

Benton County sheriff’s officials released information Tuesday on Facebook about her death but could not be reached for more information.

The initial results from Tuesday’s autopsy showed she died from the smoke and fire rather than the crash, said Chief Deputy Coroner Roy McLean.

Coroner John Hansens said they are waiting for a forensic dentist to examine records Wednesday morning before releasing her name.

This story was originally published October 30, 2018 at 10:25 AM.