Young father dies in motorcycle crash in Tri-Cities. He leaves a wife and baby

A new father died in a motorcycle crash Friday in Pasco.

Carlos Mario Sanchez Mesa, 26, of Pasco, was described as an “exceptional father” of a 5-month old baby and a “brilliant husband” in a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral costs.

He was riding a motorcycle east on Lewis Street about 4:45 p.m. Friday when he drove into the side of a Nissan Sentra traveling on 14th Avenue through the Lewis Street intersection, according to Lt. Tom Groom with the Pasco Police Department.

Mesa, who was wearing a helmet, died before he could be taken to a hospital.

Neither the driver nor a passenger in the Nissan was seriously injured. The driver of the car was not found to be at fault and no charges are planned, Groom said.

Mesa, who also used the last name Meza, was born in Colombia and lived in the Tri-Cities for two years. He was a mechanic.

The fundraiser for Mesa called him “a dedicated son” and “an unconditional friend.”

As of Tuesday, $1,400 had been raised to help his widow with funeral expenses.

To contribute, go to gofundme.com/f/carlos-mesa.

This story was originally published February 20, 2024 at 9:32 AM.