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Update: WSP identifies driver of van killed in crash that hurt 6 east of Pasco

The Washington State Patrol identified Leno Quintero Hernandez, 28, as the driver of a van who died in a head-on crash east of Pasco while trying to pass another vehicle Monday night.

Quintero Hernandez, whose hometown was not immediately available, was driving a van believed to be carrying field workers.

The three-car collision also hurt four passengers in the van, as well as the driver of the oncoming pickup truck and a toddler.

WSP said Quintero Hernandez was driving east on Highway 12 in a 2008 Chevrolet passenger van about 18 miles east of Pasco when he hit a westbound Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.

The crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. near Oasis Road in Walla Walla County.

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was on Highway 12 near Oasis Road in a van about 18 miles east of Pasco when he collided head-on with a westbound pickup truck.
The Washington State Patrol said the driver was on Highway 12 near Oasis Road in a van about 18 miles east of Pasco when he collided head-on with a westbound pickup truck. Google Maps

Three passengers in the van were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland: Gabriel Ernandea, 23, of Venezuela, Jose Pabon Pabon, 21, hometown unknown, and Bryan Porras Mondada, 19, of Columbia.

A fourth passenger, Andres Porras Quiroga, 18, of Columbia, was taken to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla.

The 2016 pickup was driven by Esmeralda Diaz-Ramos, 22, of Walla Walla. She and her toddler passenger, Salvador Suarez, 2, were injured and taken to Kadlec.

The driver of the third vehicle that struck the pickup was not injured.

This story was originally published November 14, 2023 at 11:06 AM.

Wendy Culverwell
Tri-City Herald
Reporter Wendy Culverwell writes about growth, development and business for the Tri-City Herald. She has worked for daily and weekly publications in Washington and Oregon. She earned a degree in English and economics from the University of Puget Sound. Support my work with a digital subscription
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