Fatal high-speed head-on at Hanford nuclear site injures 2 officers

Two Hanford Patrol officers were reported injured when a driver slammed into their patrol car head-on at the Hanford nuclear site on Wednesday night.

The patrol car appeared to have been responding to a report that the driver had been seen going 80- to 100-mph in the wrong lane.

The driver reportedly blew through the Wye Barricade, which is the entrance to the secure portion of the nuclear reservation closest to Richland. The car drove about four miles onto the closed area of the site before hitting the patrol car.

The collision happened about 7 p.m. Initial reports from law enforcement at the scene were that the driver had died.

Hanford workers were alerted at 7:30 p.m. that the Wye Barricade on Route 4 South had been closed.

They were advised to instead use the Yakima Barricade at Highways 240 and 24 to enter the site.

Just before 10 p.m. the Wye Barricade was opened, but traffic was being diverted up Route 2 South to Route 11A. The road also was blocked at Canton and Route 4 South.

Workers were reminded that the Rattlesnake Barricade off Highway 240 would open at 4 a.m.

The Department of Energy is partnering with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office to collect information on the collision reported at the Wye Barricade, according to DOE. It said additional information would be provided as it becomes available.

About 13,000 employees work at the site.

This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 8:41 PM.