Authorities identified 38-year-old Tressica Garza, from Tri-Cities, and 45-year-old Wayne Judd as the victims who lost their lives following a two-vehicle collision on Sunday in Kennewick.
The fatal car crash took place at West Gage Boulevard and North Steptoe Street at around 11:15 p.m. According to the investigation repots, Tressica Garza and Wayne Judd were traveling east on Gage Boulevard when a minivan disregarded a red light. The van was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into their SUV.
The driver of the minivan, 28-year-old Mariana Souza informed the officers that she was racing home from a bar in Richland. She remains in jail on investigation of two counts of vehicular homicide. Reports further added that Garza, mother of four teen daughters, was driving the Ford Escape and her boyfriend, Judd was in the front passenger seat when they drove into the intersection.
Souza’s Chrysler minivan collided with the driver’s side. Both the victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene. According to the officers, Souza said that she was traveling 50 miles per hour when the light turned red, and she failed to stop. An eyewitness estimated that she was driving 75 mph in the 40 mph zone. Souza was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland to be treated for minor injuries.
She smelled of alcohol and her eyes were “droopy,” so troopers received a warrant for a blood sample to be tested for alcohol level. She was arrested for driving under the influence. Souza first appeared in Benton County Superior Court on Monday afternoon on a 72-hour hold. Her bail was set at $500,000, however, she was booked to make another appearance on Tuesday afternoon when a Portuguese-speaking interpreter could be present to translate for Souza. No other details are available.
The crash remains under review.
April 6, 2022
Source: Tri-City Herald
[mappress mapid=”8463″]