YAKIMA, WA — Yakima police are investigating a deadly collision that killed a 71-year-old man in a wheelchair late Saturday night as he crossed North First Street near East F Street.
Police said the man was struck by a southbound pickup truck around 11:05 p.m. on Sept. 19. Yakima Fire Department crews and medical personnel gave first aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver stayed at the location and cooperated with investigators. Police also said intoxicants are not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Police say the man crossed in front of a southbound pickup truck
According to the Yakima Police Department, officers were sent to North First Street after a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
When they arrived, they found that the man had been crossing First Street at the intersection with East F Street when he moved into the path of the pickup. Police said the truck was headed south at the time of the collision.
The crash happened late enough that investigators were still piecing together the sequence of events after dark. Police have not said how fast the truck was traveling or whether the crossing was in a marked crosswalk.
Fire crews and medics tried to help at the scene
Yakima Fire Department personnel and medical responders treated the man after the crash, but their efforts were not enough to save him. He was declared dead where the collision occurred.
Fatal pedestrian crashes often leave investigators with questions about visibility, traffic flow and the exact point of impact, especially when they happen at night. In this case, police have not released additional details about the road conditions or lighting at the intersection.
Officials did identify the victim only by age, saying he was 71 years old and using a wheelchair when he was struck.
Driver stayed put and police do not suspect intoxication
Police said the pickup driver did not leave the scene after the crash. Instead, the driver remained there and cooperated with the investigation.
Investigators also said intoxicants are not suspected to be a factor. That leaves the collision under active review as officers continue to gather evidence and reconstruct what happened on North First Street.
Police have not announced any citations or charges. No further information about the truck, the driver or the circumstances of the impact was immediately released.
North First Street and East F Street remain the focus of the inquiry
The intersection of North First Street and East F Street is now the center of the police inquiry as investigators work to understand how the pedestrian and pickup came into contact.
That includes reviewing the exact movements of the man in the wheelchair, the truck’s approach and any other factors that may have affected the collision. The police department said the investigation is still ongoing.
Authorities are also asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Yakima Police Department Officer Darius Williams at 509-306-3814.
Witnesses asked to call Officer Darius Williams
Police are hoping additional witnesses will help fill in gaps in the timeline and clarify what happened just before the impact. Even small details about traffic, visibility or the pedestrian’s path could be important to investigators.
Anyone who saw the collision or has relevant information is being urged to contact Officer Darius Williams directly. The department has not said when it expects to release more findings from the case.
For now, Yakima police say the investigation continues into a fatal crash that left a 71-year-old wheelchair user dead in the street.