Beer cans were scattered around SUV in fatal crash on highway near Benton City

A 32-year-old man said he’d drank four or five beers and smoked marijuana before a fatal crash outside of Benton City.

Matthew D. Mason, of Benton City, was coming home from golfing on Saturday, when he crossed the center line in a GMC Sierra on Highway 224 about 8 p.m. and slammed into an oncoming sedan.

The crash killed the sedan’s driver, Antonio Aguirre, 35, of Sunnyside.

When Trooper Brenden Kelly arrived on the scene, he reported seeing “multiple ‘Coors Lights’ beer cans” and “multiple ‘Coors Light’ beer boxes” around the Sierra, court documents said.

Mason cried during his first appearance in Benton County Superior Court on Monday after being arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is taking over the case and will make the decision about whether to file charges because Mason is the son of an employee in the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Eric Eisinger said.

He was released on his own recognizance. If he is charged, he is expected to enter a plea on March 12.

Mason was allegedly driving a white GMC Sierra west on the highway when it crossed the center line and slammed into an Acura TSX sedan going east, court documents said.

Aguirre, who was driving the Acura, died at the scene.

Mason was being treated at Kadlec Regional Medical Center when Kelly went to talk to him, according to his affidavit.

The trooper smelled alcohol on Mason’s breath and sobriety tests showed that he was drunk.

Mason allegedly told the trooper that he had smoked marijuana before going golfing and had four of five beers.

Released from jail

Mason’s hearing followed the hearing for Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen, who was accused of killing a motorcyclist just a half hour before Mason’s fatal crash.

Clasen is also accused of being intoxicated before the crash.

Prosecutor Eric Eisinger asked for $150,000 bail in both cases. He argued in Mason’s case that the facts around the case show he is potentially a danger to the community.

Mason didn’t have any prior convictions, Eisinger said.

His defense attorney, Scott Rodgers, said his client works as an operations manager and has custody of his child.

“Mr. Mason grew up here. He’s lived here his entire life. He has no priors, your honor,” Rodgers said. “We want to acknowledge that the allegations are correct. The victim lost a life. There was a life lost here. ... There’s no allegation that Mr. Mason intended to have this horrible, tragic outcome.”

Rodgers also pointed out that Clasen was released on her own recognizance.

Judge Diana Ruff agreed that Mason could be released from jail on his own recognizance. He does need to have an ignition interlock on any vehicle he drives and have a portable breathalyzer to ensure he isn’t drinking.

This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM.