Fatal traffic collision at OR/WA border

By on Friday, July 15th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – The Washington State Patrol reports a Walla Walla man died when he collided with two other vehicles on the Oregon/Washington state line Friday evening, 4 miles south of Walla Walla city limits. Feliciano Rodriguez Lara, 47, was traveling southbound on State Route 125 when he failed to stop at a red light at Stateline Road shortly after 7 p.m.

Rodriguez Lara died at the scene. His passenger, Serafin Perez-Ledesma, 51, of Milton-Freewater was injured. Perez-Ledesma was transported to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla.

Investigators said Rodriguez Lara’s 2005 Chevy Aveo struck a 2018 Mazda CX-5, driven by Brianna J. Kessler, 27, of Dayton and then struck a 2014 Lexus RX350, driven by Kathryn K. Carlson, 63, of Richland. Neither Kessler or Carlson were injured.

Troopers said drugs or alcohol were a factor in the fatal traffic collision and that the investigation is ongoing.