Crime

Victims ID’d after deadly head-on crash on Hwy 395 exit in Pasco

Two Pasco men are dead after a head-on crash Thursday morning on the Lewis Street exit off Highway 395.

Alex Licon, 32, was speeding north on Highway 395 in a black Chevy Silverado when he took the Lewis Street exit about 11:10 a.m., Washington State Patrol Trooper Carlos Mata said.

The pickup crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a Ford Expedition, killing the driver Marco Mendoza-Ortiz, 53.

Licon, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was thrown from his truck and also died, Mata said.

No one else was in either of the vehicles.

Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395.
Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

The families of both men came to the scene and had been notified.

The collision was near the underpass, where the divided highway crosses over the Lewis Street exit.

Two people have died in a fatal crash on the Lewis Street exit in Pasco.
Two people have died in a fatal crash on the Lewis Street exit in Pasco. Courtesy Google Mays

The Washington State Patrol blocked the exit and Lewis Street near Road 28 while it investigated.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened the interchange about three hours later.

Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395.
Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com
Washington State Patrol troopers and Pasco Fire department investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395.
Washington State Patrol troopers and Pasco Fire department investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com
Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395.
Washington State Patrol troopers investigate the scene of Thursday's double fatal collision at the Lewis Street exit on Highway 395. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

This story is breaking. Check back for updates.

This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 11:46 AM.

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Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
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