UPDATE: July 17 at 12:15 p.m.
According to the Yakima Police Department, the pedestrian victim died from their injuries.
The driver, 32-year-old Mauricio Arechiga, is now facing vehicular homicide charges instead of vehicular assault.
YAKIMA, Wash. – A serious collision between a vehicle and a person occurred at the intersection of W. Nob Hill Blvd. and S. 23rd Ave. early on Thursday. A Yakima police officer discovered the incident around 2:54 a.m.
The injured person, a 32-year-old man connected to Kennewick, Wash., was found unconscious with severe head injuries. He received immediate medical attention and was initially taken to MultiCare Memorial Hospital in Yakima before being life-flighted to Harborview Medical Center due to life-threatening injuries.
The vehicle involved was a 2014 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 39-year-old Yakima resident. Preliminary findings indicated the vehicle was heading west on W. Nob Hill Blvd. as the person was crossing from a parking lot toward the north sidewalk. According to Washington state law, the intersection is an unmarked crosswalk, requiring vehicles to yield to crossing individuals.
The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested for vehicular assault for driving while impaired and causing significant injuries. The Yakima Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating the collision.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Darius Williams at 509-306-3814 or darius.williams@yakimawa.gov.
Article originally published July 3 at 10:41 a.m.
