Two injured in Highway 12 rear-end collision west of College Place
By Dan Thesman on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY — Two men were hospitalized Friday night following a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 12 west of College Place, according to the Washington State Patrol.
State troopers said a westbound 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck was following too closely and struck a 1993 Peterbilt semi-truck around 10:10 p.m. near milepost 320, located 12 miles west of College Place city limits.
The pickup driver, Briant O. Alvarado Solis, 23, of Sunnyside, and his passenger, Nathan T. Barrett, 24, of Richland, were injured and transported to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. Authorities reported Alvarado Solis was not wearing a seatbelt, and charges are currently pending against him.
The driver of the semi-truck, Esteban Zuniga Hernandez, 56, of Plymouth, was uninjured. Neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.
WSP said the cause of the accident was due to Alvarado Solis following too close and striking Zuniga Hernandez.
