Teenager dies in fiery crash

TOKIO — A Gonzaga university student was killed Saturday morning, Feb. 18, in a fiery, one-vehicle crash 10 miles east of Ritzville.

Diego H. Garza, 18, of Lakewood, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Mipepost 230, at about 5:30 a.m., the Washington State Patrol reported.

According to the patrol, Garza was eastbound in a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer on Interstate 90 when his vehicle drifted in to the median.

Garza over-corrected and the vehicle overturned and caught on fire, the patrol reported, noting it came to rest on the right shoulder.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, the patrol reported.

As of press time, troopers had yet to determine if Garza had been wearing a seat belt or if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

The vehicle was removed from the crash scene by Ritzville Towing.

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Roger Harnack, Owner/Publisher

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Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.

 

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