Deadly collision happened along Roza Hill Drive, east of the Terrace Heights Landfill
TERRACE HEIGHTS, WA, (October 31, 2024) - A young man’s life was tragically cut short in an alcohol-impaired crash on Halloween night in Terrace Heights, according to the Yakima County Sheriff’s deputies.
Nathan A. Sanchez, an 18-year-old Yakima local, lost his life following a single-vehicle crash involving a DUI driver on Halloween night in Terrace Heights, the sheriff's office said.
Officials identified the deceased as Nathan A. Sanchez. A GoFundMe has been created to help the 18-year-old's family during the difficult period.
A preliminary investigation found that a 1988 GMC pickup truck was traveling in the 9000 block of Roza Hill Drive, east of the Terrace Heights Landfill, around 7:25 p.m. when the driver failed to make a turn in the road, causing the vehicle to roll down an embankment. Two male passengers in the pickup were ejected, resulting in fatal injuries to one of the victims—later identified as Yakima resident Sanchez.
The second passenger, a 19-year-old from Yakima, was transported to the hospital for treatment, officials said.
Deputies said the GMC’s driver exhibited signs of intoxication and was subsequently arrested.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is always dangerous, not only for intoxicated drivers but for other people on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Nathan A. Sanchez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).