Man dies in 'horrific' I-82 crash near Kennewick
KENNEWICK — One man was killed and two other people were hurt Wednesday in what emergency officials called a "horrific" semi-truck crash on Interstate 82 south of Kennewick.
The semi, which was hauling fertilizer, was headed toward Oregon on Interstate 82 when the driver crossed the center median, slammed into a car going west and slid on its side down an embankment.
The driver of the car, Lawrence W. Volker, 60, of Conover, N.C., died at the scene, Washington State Patrol troopers said.
His passenger, Brenda S. Volker, 59, of Conover, was flown to Kennewick General Hospital.
The collision sheared off most of the back half their 2010 Dodge Charger.
Stephen B. Gallant, 54, the driver of the semi, was taken by ambulance to Kennewick General Hospital.
Gallant, from Calgary, Alberta, reportedly suffered a medical issue that caused him to lose control of the truck and cross into the opposite lane, authorities said.
The cab of the semi ended up at the bottom of an embankment on the shoulder of Bofer Canyon Road, which parallels I-82, and debris stretched across Bofer Canyon Road.
The crash happened about 1:50 p.m. about seven miles south of Kennewick between the Locust Grove and Coffin Road exits.
The westbound lanes of I-82 were briefly closed while emergency crews got to the scene. After a medical helicopter landed and took off again, one lane of traffic slowly moved through the crash scene.
Benton Fire District 1 crews responded, along with two units from the Kennewick Fire Department, as well as Washington State Patrol troopers and Benton County sheriff's deputies.
The truck was from DJ Knoll Transport Ltd., in White City, Saskatchewan.
Police arrest man after shots fired in Kennewick
KENNEWICK — An 18-year-old Kennewick man is in jail after reportedly shooting at rival gang members.
No one was hit by bullets, said Kennewick police Sgt. Ken Lattin.
Officers were called to the 1800 block of Fourth Place just after 8 p.m. Tuesday after getting reports of shots being fired in the area, Lattin said.
Investigators determined gang members walked to the home of rival gang members and Balentin M. Virrueta fired several shots at them, Lattin said.
The suspects ran off, but Virrueta was found a short time later in the 1500 block of Second Avenue.
He was arrested and booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault.
The victims targeted in the shooting have not been identified, Lattin said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Kennewick Detective Dan Long at 582-1325.
Police looking for man with info about Walla Walla shooting
WALLA WALLA — A person of interest is being sought in the shooting death of a Walla Walla man, but the man's name wasn't released.
Walla Walla police said the man may have information about the shooting late Sunday that killed 24-year-old Kevin Myrick.
Myrick was shot outside his home and died Monday afternoon at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Convicted rapist living in Pasco; address not known
PASCO — A Level 3 sex offender considered highly likely to reoffend is living in Pasco.
Christian V. Searcy, 52, has told police he doesn't have a permanent address but is living in Pasco.
Searcy is 5-foot-7, 170 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.
He was convicted in 1987 of first-degree rape in King County.
Searcy is not wanted by police, but is required to tell them where he is living.
Information about Searcy and other registered sex offenders in Franklin County can be accessed online.
Go to the Franklin County website at www.co.franklin.wa.us/ sheriff and click on the Offender Watch box under registered sex offenders.
This story was originally published June 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Man dies in 'horrific' I-82 crash near Kennewick."