Passenger pronounced deceased in vehicle suspected of shooting at officer following crash
By Dan Thesman on Sunday, March 26th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – An officer with the Kennewick Police Department was not struck after being shot at by a passing vehicle early Sunday morning. It was the first of a series of events that led to a pursuit, the driver of the suspect vehicle being taken into custody after crashing into a deputy’s patrol vehicle and authorities finding a lone female passenger unresponsive, who was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
It all began at 4:19 a.m. when the KPD officer was parked on the 100 block of North Edison Street. A dark colored vehicle drove past the officer and fired a gunshot towards the officer. Additional law enforcement responded and checked the area.
A deputy with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office observed the suspect vehicle at South Union Street and Creekstone Drive. When the deputy attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, it immediately fled. The deputy pursued the vehicle. At the intersection of Eighth Place and Vancouver Street, the suspect vehicle struck the deputy’s vehicle.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was taken into custody. Authorities located a lone female passenger in the suspect vehicle who was unresponsive and pronounced deceased at the scene. The deputy was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
A 35-year-old man from Kennewick was identified as the driver and also transported to an area hospital. Once medically cleared, the male suspect will be booked into the Benton County Jail on charges related to this incident, which may include vehicular homicide and assault. The name of the suspect male and the name of the deceased female are not being released until next of kin has been notified.
The Washington State Patrol is investigating the vehicle collision and KPD is handling the criminal investigation.
The Benton County jail roster indicates Antonia De Jesus Martinez, 35, was in custody Sunday, charged with drive-by shooting, vehicular assault, and vehicular homicide. On Monday, KPD confirmed Martinez was in custody for the aforementioned charges.
On Monday, authorities also identified the female passenger as Jessica Sanders, 39. KPD said next of kin has been notified.
