Washington State

Douglas County prosecutors reach 'settlement' in Highway 97 homicide

A Bridgeport teenager who police say killed a 68-year-old East Wenatchee man when he was 16 has reached a settlement with prosecutors and may plead guilty at an upcoming hearing this week.

The Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Juan Valdovinos-Vazquez, 17, with first-degree murder, first-degree assault first-degree theft and first-degree possession of stolen property.

Valdovinos-Vazquez was charged as an adult. Both assault and murder charges also carry firearm enhancements that could lengthen potential prison sentences.

Valdovinos-Vazquez is accused of killing Adnan AbouAmmo, executive director of TranCare, a local non-emergency medical transportation service, in a vehicle pullout along Highway 97 located north of Orondo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Judge Brian Huber signed a notice June 9, scheduling the hearing for Thursday where Valdovinos-Vazquez may enter his guilty plea. It is not clear if prosecutors plan on filing amended charges as part of a plea deal.

Any sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a different date, according to the notice.

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