WSP announces death of father injured in Richland motorcycle crash on Easter

A motorcycle driver who crashed into an SUV in Richland on Easter Sunday died four days later, the Washington State Patrol said in a news memo released Sunday.

Jeffrey D. McDaniel, 31, of Kennewick, died April 13 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, the WSP memo said.

McDaniel was driving a motorcycle in an eastbound Highway 240 bypass lane at 5:45 p.m. April 9, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A Toyota Rav4 was being driven the other direction on Highway 240 by Daniel J. Ayers, 38, of Richland, and was turning left onto Duportail Street near the bridge over the Yakima River.

McDaniel failed to yield the right of way and struck the SUV, according to WSP.

Both men were taken by ambulance to Kadlec.

According to an obituary for McDaniel, he attended Kennewick High School and graduated from Phoenix High School in Kennewick. He was father to a daughter.

He liked anything with wheels and spent as much time as possible riding, driving and skateboarding, according to his obituary.

“Jeff was intelligent, confident, athletic, had a fantastic wit, and the best smile,” his obituary said. “He had an ability to engage and forge a relationship with anyone he met, and a caring soul that always provided support to others.”