Witnesses report seeing Amazon semi driver run red light in fatal Richland crash

Investigators are continuing to piece together the details leading up to Friday night’s collision on Highway 240 that killed a 58-year-old grandmother.

Several witnesses reported seeing Michael Tekeste Asgodom, 46, of Shoreline, Wash., run a red light on the bypass highway at Duportail Street, Trooper Daniel Mosqueda told the Tri-City Herald.

Teresa J. Weers of Richland was turning left onto the highway from Duportail when she was hit.

Whether Asgodom will be charged will depend on what investigators determine happened before and during the 8:30 p.m. collision, Mosqueda said. Investigators have ruled out drugs and alcohol being a factor in the crash.

Prosecutors could charge him with vehicular homicide if he was driving recklessly, such as speeding. Crash investigations often can take months before reports are finished and decisions are made on whether to file charges.

Asgodom, who was not arrested, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Mosqueda said.

Weers died before she could be taken to the hospital. Her 8-year-old granddaughter, who was in the back seat, was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center for injuries that weren’t life-threatening, said her family.

Weers, who also was known by the last name Leckenby, had stopped to buy Slurpees at 7-Eleven on Duportail Street for six grandchildren shortly she died, according to the GoFundMe posted by her family.