Driver dies in Sunday crash

By on Thursday, May 13th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PASCO – Ricky Cruz, 28, of Pasco, the driver who was allegedly attempting to elude a sheriff’s deputy Highway 395 has died from injuries suffered when his vehicle collided with a semi.

Investigators report that Cruz was driving northbound on the highway when he went into the southbound lane and collided with the commercial truck. The truck driver, from Milton-Freewater, was not injured.

The passenger in Cruz’s car was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash on Sunday. Neither Cruz nor Karli Moore, 23, of Pasco were wearing seat belts. Cruz was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where he died Tuesday.

State troopers are investigating the crash. It has not been announced why the sheriff’s deputy was pursuing Cruz, however it is considered likely that the pursuit is a part of the WSP investigation and details will not be announced until that investigation is complete.