School sends in counselors after 16-year-old Kamiakin student killed crossing freeway
Kamiakin High School students are being offered time with counselors this week after a fellow student died early Tuesday after he was hit by a car.
Ethan Vargas, 16, was a student at the Kennewick school and was killed when he was struck trying to cross Interstate 182 in Pasco.
Robyn Chastain, the district’s executive director of communications and public relations, confirmed that extra counseling support is being provided for any students and staff.
Family members described Vargas as a “sweet, strong man who found laughter and joy in every occasion,” in a GoFundMe organized by Candie Gonzalez. This is the family’s only authorized GoFundMe.
“We can only rejoice in knowing he is in paradise walking alongside our Heavenly Father,” Gonzalez said in the fundraiser. “If you have anything to help the Vargas family reach their goal financially or a simple prayer for strength through this unimaginable loss, it would be more than appreciated.”
A second GoFundMe titled “Loving Memory of Ethan Vargas Forever 16” appears to be fraudulent. The Vargas family told the Herald it is not associated with them and will not receive any donations to it.
Vargas was hit by a Cadillac XTS as he crossed I-182 shortly before 4 a.m. The section of road was within a mile of the Road 100 exit, according to a Washington State Patrol traffic memo.
The hour and location of the accident have raised questions about what brought the 16-year-old to that stretch of the highway, especially at that time of day.
Trooper Chris Thorson told the Tri-City Herald that detectives are still piecing together what sent Vargas across the divided highway.
Vargas was running south across the three westbound lanes when he was hit, Thorson said.
On the south side of the freeway in that area is Tri-Cities Prep Catholic high school, the Broadmoor RV store and the Pasco/Tri-Cities KOA Journey Campgrounds. On the north side are car lots and other residential neighborhoods.
Thorson said it’s clear at this point that the driver, George J. Dvorak, had no chance of avoiding the teen.
The 58-year-old Hanford employee told investigators that Vargas just appeared in front of him out of the dark without time for him to react.
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 2:08 PM.