Update: Richland man dies in head-on crash minutes after he stole a linen truck

A U.S. Linen truck involved in a double-fatal collision Tuesday had been stolen just minutes before the crash, said the Washington State Patrol.

Anthony M. Stalder of Richland died after he crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 125 in College Place, about 50 miles southeast of Pasco.

Trooper Chris Thorson said Stalder, 28, was driving the linen truck that was stolen from in front of a GESA credit union about three to four minutes earlier.

He was heading south in the northbound lane when he slammed into a pickup driven by Jeremy S. Richards, 48, of La Grande, Ore. Richards, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

Stalder did not have a seat belt on and died after being taken to Providence St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla.

The collision happened just before 11 a.m. in the city limits of College Place.

This story was originally published May 24, 2022 at 4:50 PM.