Tri-City woman killed in wreck near Highway 12 bridge at Snake River

A woman from Burbank died Monday after an SUV turned left in front of a pickup she was riding in on Highway 12 near the Snake River bridge.

The Ford Edge SUV turned left from the highway onto Sacajawea Park Road and was hit by the eastbound truck about 1:40 p.m., Trooper Daniel Mosqueda told the Tri-City Herald.

Tammy M. Bench, 63, was a passenger in the Ford SUV and died at the scene, said the Washington State Patrol.

The driver was Colt D. Urquhart, 49, of Burbank. He was injured and taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

The driver of the Chevy Silverado pickup, Terrance L. Regnier, 75, and his passenger, Cheryl A. Regnier, 75, both of Greenacres, Wash., also were taken to Kadlec with injuries, said the WSP.

The right eastbound lane of the highway was closed for a time while the state patrol investigated the crash. The people slowing for the crash in led to another four crashes between both ldirections, leading to a 3-mile backup, said Mosqueda.

Alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash, and Urquhart was expected to be cited for failing to yield, said a WSP memo.

This is the second fatal wreck at the intersection this year. Eric L. Wommack, 63, died there in late January when he was hit by a semi truck pulling across the divided highway. That crash was linked to fog.

This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM.