Tri-Cities driver who killed man along Highway 395 didn’t know he’d hit someone

A Pasco man who was towing a piece of equipment that killed a motorist along Highway 395 is cooperating with investigators after he was tracked down at home.

Darrell B. Slippy, 79, told Washington State Patrol detectives “he had no knowledge that it had happened,” according to Trooper Chris Thorson.

Andres A. Trujillo, 46, died immediately when he was struck in the head by a part of the equipment that was hanging off the right side of Slippy’s trailer.

Trujillo had been out of his truck adjusting the load on the back of his own trailer when he was hit.

Thorson told the Tri-City Herald that Trujillo was legally parked on the right shoulder of the highway, at East Elm Road, when he was hit.

The 11 a.m. Sunday crash is being investigated as a possible criminal hit-and-run, meaning Slippy could face charges for Trujillo’s death.

“Could it have been avoided? That’s what we’re trying to determine right now,” said Thorson, adding that detectives were following up with witnesses on Monday. “... Right now, we don’t believe (Slippy) had any intention to flee the scene.”

Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary told the Herald his office does not plan an autopsy.

The state patrol report said that Trujillo of Sunnyside had been traveling south on the highway in a Dodge Ram when he had to pull to the shoulder to re-secure his load. They were about 11 miles north of Pasco.

Passenger Jorge D. Rivas, 27, stayed in the truck while Trujillo got out.

At that time, Slippy drove past in his Ford F250, which was hauling a trailer loaded with a big, heavy roller used to compact gravel, Thorson said.

The construction implement’s tongue, where it connects with a truck or tractor, was sticking out off the right side of the trailer as Slippy drove down the highway, said Thorson.

That is what hit Trujillo as he stood on the side of highway.

It is not known how fast Slippy was driving. Thorson said the posted limit for vehicles towing a trailer is 60 mph.

State patrol troopers and detectives on the scene Sunday noticed a lot vehicles passing hauling equipment from the nearby Booker Auction Co. on Eltopia West Road.

The auction house had its annual fall auction on Friday and Saturday, according to its website.

Thorson said witnesses to Trujillo’s death did not have a license plate for the truck but gave detectives a detailed description of the truck and equipment.

The detectives then went to the auction house and asked about any recent customers who matched that description. They were given Slippy’s name, and they went to his Pasco house on Sunday afternoon.

The implement was no longer on Slippy’s trailer, but it became clear he was the right person when detectives found blood and other evidence on the equipment, said Thorson.

Investigators are trying to get video from Booker officials that shows Slippy with the trailer and how the implement was loaded.

Thorson said they should know later this week if criminal charges will be recommended for Slippy.

This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 12:59 PM.