Two Bellingham residents, Kelso girl killed in crash east of Yakima

A head-on collision in Yakima County on Friday resulted in the death of three people, including two Bellingham residents.

The crash happened around 9:45 p.m. Friday on State Route 24 about 15 miles east of Moxee, Wash., according to an incident report from the Washington State Patrol.

WSP reports Luis A. Martinez, 39, and Yajaira J. Martinez, 38, of Bellingham were driving east in a 2025 Ford Expedition with two children, a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, in the vehicle. The driver of the Expedition initiated a pass by veering into the westbound lane and struck another vehicle — a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan — head-on, according to WSP.

Both Luis and Yajaira died at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt, according to WSP. The two children in the Expedition, who were wearing seat belts, were taken to Yakima Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Danielle D. Reed, 35, of Kelso, Wash., was driving the Caravan with two female passengers, ages 11 and 13. The 11-year-old also was declared deceased at the scene. While Reed was wearing a seat belt, WSP reports the two girls were not. Reed and the 13-year-old also were taken to Yakima Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The WSP incident report states that it is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved, and the listed cause of the crash is “unsafe passing.”

This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 3:51 PM.