2 from Hermiston among the injured in Kennewick crash
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 20th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
KENNEWICK – The Washington State Patrol reports a five-vehicle crash on Highway 395 in Kennewick Sunday afternoon left four people injured, including an infant and a toddler in separate vehicles. WSP reports the crash was caused by Joel Gama Santana, 57, of Pasco and charges are pending against him.
The description of the crash is outlined below. Santana was driving vehicle 1 and was not injured.
“Vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were northbound (on) State Route 395 at milepost 18. Vehicle 4 experienced a mechanical failure and stopped, partially blocking roadway,” the report states. “Vehicles 2 and 3 stopped for traffic. Vehicle 1 changed lanes and struck vehicle 2. Vehicle 2 was pushed into vehicle 3 and vehicle 5.”
Injuries were reported involving vehicles 2 and 3. The driver of vehicle 3, Darnell Brown, 28, of Hermiston and a 2-year-old girl in his car were injured. An adult passenger in that vehicle along with 5-year-old and 8-year-old children were not injured. In vehicle 2, passenger Dariana Machado Marquez, 25, and a 2-month-old girl were injured.
All of the injured were wearing seat belts and were transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
