Truck driver in fatal crash will change his plea
By Terry Murry on Monday, May 23rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories
WALLA WALLA – A truck driver who pleaded not guilty to vehicle homicide after a collision involving a bicyclist in January 2018 is scheduled to change his plea today (Monday) in Walla Walla County Superior Court.
According to court documents, John H. Mehlschau, 63, admitted he was looking at his dash mounted GPS when he ran a red light on January 22, 2018, at South Ninth Avenue and West Alder Street allegedly hitting Ramiro Trevino, 61, of Walla Walla, who was riding a tricycle.
According to investigators, dash cam footage taken from Mehlschau’s semi showed that as Mehlschau entered the intersection, Trevino had the green light and had already began peddling. Mehlschau attempted to swerve away from Trevino, but evidence shows the semi-trailer struck Trevino’s tricycle.
Trevino was transported by medics to Providence St. Mary Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Mehlschau was charged with one count of vehicular homicide. He is scheduled to appear in Walla Walla County Superior Court this afternoon at 3 p.m.
