New details emerge in fatal crash

By Terry Murry on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

COLLEGE PLACE –Both the Washington State Patrol and Walla Walla Police Department are investigating the double-fatal crash in College Place Tuesday. Both law enforcement agencies have also released near information surrounding the work van involved in the crash and its driver.

WSP said Wednesday that a van belonging to U.S. Linen and Uniform was in front of Gesa Credit Union, 1355 West Poplar Street in Walla Walla when it was stolen by Anthony M. Stalder, 28.

While WSP reported Stalder is from Richland, the Walla Walla Police Department begs to differ. Their public information officer, Sgt. Gunner Fulmer, said Stalder is a local transient and well-known to the department.

Minutes after stealing the van, WSP said Stalder drove the wrong way on State Route 125 going southbound in the northbound lanes and collided with a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck near Commercial Drive.

Both Stalder and the driver of the pickup truck, Jeremy S. Richards, 48, of La Grande were killed.