Benton City father remains in critical condition after his son died in same I-82 wreck

A Benton City man remains in critically stable condition a day after a crash that killed his son.

Timothy A. Small, 58, was behind the wheel of a 2013 Ford Mustang heading east when he lost control shortly before noon, according to the Washington State Patrol. The car went into the median, flipped and landed so it blocked both lanes of Interstate 82.

It’s unclear what caused the crash.

His son, Levi T. Small, 24, who was riding in the car, died at the scene, and Timothy Small was rushed to Kadlec Regional Medical Center where he has remained.

The elder Small moved to Benton City more than 30 years ago and spent most of it in and around agriculture. Along with farming his own field, he worked for three years at the Benton Irrigation District as an equipment operator and maintenance foreman.

He also spent five years on the Benton City Council and six years on the city’s planning commission in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Levi Small had a passion for the outdoors. He shared pictures of himself riding ski mobiles and dirt bikes on his Facebook page. He also worked on cars. His page showed off a modified truck that he later sold.

People described the family as helpful. Tim Small would often lend a hand at the cemetery, and neighbors said Levi Small was a great kid.

This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 4:39 PM.