Woman arrested for killing 2 in violent collision at Kennewick intersection

A suspected drunk driver is being blamed for the death of two people at a Kennewick intersection late Sunday.

Witnesses estimated Mariana Souza, 28, was going as fast as 75 mph as she barreled south on Steptoe Street shortly after 11:15 p.m., Kennewick Officer Roman Trujillo said.

Her Chrysler Pacifica ran the red light at the intersection with Gage Boulevard and slammed into the side of a Ford Escape, killing the two people inside instantly, said investigators.

Investigators are working to find and notify the families of the people who died before releasing their names.

The Kennewick Police Traffic Unit was called to the scene to investigate.

Souza was treated at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, and a blood sample was taken before she was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of two counts of vehicular homicide.

This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 9:47 AM.