Teen trapped in crash with semi, closing WA highway near Connell

Highway 260 was closed in both directions west of Connell Tuesday evening after a head-on collision between a car and a semi truck.

A 17-year-old Connell teen was initially trapped in the wreckage but was rescued and taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

Keyla Cruz Saavedra was driving west on the highway in a Volkswagen Jetta when a semi truck turned left in front of her about 4:50 p.m., said the Washington State Patrol.

Rafael D. Aquino, 50, of Connell, was driving east when he turned onto Dilling Road and into the path of the Jetta, about three miles west of Connell, said the WSP.

He was cited with failing to yield the right of way.

The crash was east of the intersection with Highway 17 in Franklin County.

Traffic had to be detoured around the crash site until the highway could be cleared. The highway reopened just before 9 p.m., said the Washington State Department of Transportation.

This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 6:48 PM.