UPDATE: November 26 at 3:00 p.m.
Rebecca Howard, 48, identified by WSP as the driver in the DUI crash on Monday, is also facing charges related to animal cruelty from 2021, according to Trooper Daniel Mosqueda.
Court documents reveal that Howard is charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty. This includes two first-degree animal cruelty charges, classified as felonies, and 14 second-degree animal cruelty charges, considered gross misdemeanors.
According to a release by the Attorney General’s Office, Howard helped manage the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter as director of the Neo’s Nation Animal Foundation when allegations of abuse and neglect arose in 2021.
The AG’s office said a search warrant executed at the shelter revealed malnourished dogs and crates of cats and kittens, many severely ill, in poor conditions. The outbuilding was infested with mice and housed cats with severe infections, the AG’s office said.
Howard’s jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2026.
If convicted, Howard faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each felony count of first-degree animal cruelty.
KENNEWICK, Wash. – Washington State Patrol (WSP) is investigating a crash on SR 240 that occurred near the same location as a semi crash last week.
According to WSP Trooper Daniel Mosqueda, this afternoon’s crash happened at 4:15 p.m. when a female driver crashed into a tree at the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex, rolling her vehicle over.
The driver was extricated and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It’s unknown if she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash is likely DUI-related, according to Mosqueda. He noted that this is the second DUI incident in the area that WSP has dealt with today. Over the weekend, WSP made six DUI arrests.
Mosqueda emphasized the importance of vigilance on the roads, saying he wants to remind drivers to call 911 for suspected drivers under the influence, especially with this being one of the busiest weeks on the road of the year.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: November 24 at 5:35 p.m.
