Teen dies after driving head-on into semi south of Highway 12 Wallula Junction

A 19-year-old from Walla Walla died Saturday morning when he drove his car into the path of a semi truck about 20 miles south of Pasco, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Desmond Swenson-Leaks, 19, was driving southwest on Highway 730 about five miles south of the Wallula Junction and one mile north of the Oregon state line when he crossed the center line about 3:40 a.m., said a WSP report.

He died before he could be taken to a hospital after hitting a semi hauling two trailers. It was driven by Scott Syverson,44, of Post Falls, Idaho. Swenson-Leaks was driving a Ford Focus.

Both were wearing seatbelts.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Highway 730 was closed from the Oregon state line to Wallula Junction until about 8:30 a.m.

This story was originally published October 30, 2021 at 11:47 AM.