Passenger dies a month after Tri-Cities rollover. Kennewick driver faces charges
A passenger injured in a January Tri-Cities wreck has died, and the driver is accused of driving drunk.
Deive Mendoza, 28, of Wapato, died at a Seattle hospital on Monday from injuries related to the Jan. 22 wreck in west Pasco.
The driver Jose Munoz Lazo, 24, of Kennewick, already had been charged with three counts of vehicular assault under the influence and with substantial bodily harm, said the Franklin County Clerk’s Office.
Investigators say it was clear the driver had been drinking, according to court documents.
It’s unclear if Mendoza’s death will result in additional charges. His current jury trial is set for June.
Washington State Patrol investigators say Mendoza was a passenger and was not wearing a seat belt when Jose Munoz Lazo of Kennewick lost control of a Subaru Forester registered to his parents.
Investigators said Munoz Lazo was driving north on Highway 395 at 2 a.m. and exited to the ramp to westbound I-182. He lost control and the car rolled, landing on its top.
Mendoza died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was taken soon after the crash.
Three other passengers also were injured. Graciela Herrera-Arteaga, 25, of Kennewick, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.
Homero Gonzalez, 31, of Wenatchee, and Yesica Nava Garcia, 24, of Kennewick — were taken to Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick. Both were wearing seat belts, said the WSP.
Investigation
The responding state trooper said that after arriving on the scene he could immediately smell intoxicants, according to an affidavit obtained by the Herald.
When speaking to Munoz Lazo, Trooper Jarryd Bivins said he believed Munoz Lazo was highly intoxicated and could “smell the overwhelming odor of intoxicants emitting from his person.”
Munoz Lazo said he did not want to speak to the officer after being placed under arrest. He was taken to Trios for treatment of minor injuries.
While he was being treated, Bivins obtained a warrant from Benton Franklin County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Stam to get a blood sample.
Munoz Lazo was booked into the Franklin County jail after he was treated. He’s been released on bail.
