Family mourns death of ‘hard-working’ young man in head-on Franklin County crash
Family members are describing a 23-year-old killed on the Pasco Kahlotus highway last week as a kind and thoughtful young man.
Paulo Yepez-Perez of Pasco was heading to work Friday morning on the rural two-lane road that stretches between Pasco and the small northern Franklin County town.
Yepez-Perez had gotten about three miles down the road in his Acura RSX when an approaching driver in a Ford F-250 lost control, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The pickup driver, whose name has not been released by the sheriff’s office, reported that a tire on his truck blew out.
The vehicles collided, killing Yepez-Perez. The pickup driver was treated at a local hospital.
Drugs and alcohol were not factors, said investigators, who are continuing to investigate.
A GoFundMe has been organized aimed at helping Yepez-Perez’s family with funeral expenses.
“Paulo Yepez-Perez, you were a wonderful son, brother, uncle and nephew. Everyone knew you as a hard-working, loving and family-oriented young man,” organizer Maria Yepez said.
She thanked him for his beautiful smile and personality.
“You were loved by so many people. Rest in peace, we love you,” she wrote.
Since posting the GoFundMe, she shared on social media that messages of support for the family have flooded in.
“On behalf of my parents and siblings we thank you with all our hearts,” she said in a Facebook post. “It’s hard to read all the messages right now....”
Donations can be made to the GoFundMe by going to bit.ly/YepezPerezGoFundMe.
