Passenger killed after driver misses stop sign in rural Benton County

A 43-year-old man was killed in a two-car crash after a driver missed a stop sign on a rural Benton County road.

Abel Sanchez Cruz was a passenger in a car heading from Prosser to Plymouth about 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3.

They were on Sellards Road when another car failed to stop at the intersection with Travis Road and plowed into their car, Benton County Sheriff Mike Clark told the Tri-City Herald.

Police and medics tried to save his life, but he died at the scene, said Coroner Bill Leach. It’s believed Sanchez Cruz wasn’t wearing a seat belt, he said.

The intersection is in a rural area of Benton County, about 11 miles south of Benton City.

No one was arrested in connection with the crash.

Deputies are still investigating how it happened, Clark said. No one was drunk, but the weather may have played a role, since it was raining that night, he said.

Others were also hurt in the crash but no other information was released on the seriousness of their injuries.

Leach said Sanchez Cruz is originally from Mexico and his family is working to have his body returned there.

This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM.