Thursday morning turned deadly on State Route 395 just north of Connell, Washington, when a person walking on the highway was struck and killed by a vehicle, according to authorities. Washington State Patrol troopers shut down part of the roadway and squeezed northbound traffic into a single lane while they worked the scene. Investigators also found what they believe was the deceased person's vehicle in the southbound lanes near the crash site. Traffic continued to move through the area, and officials said they expected the highway to fully reopen within a couple of hours.
What the State Patrol Says
According to YakTriNews, Trooper Daniel Mosqueda said a driver traveling north in the left lane of SR 395 hit a person who was in that lane. Mosqueda told the outlet that troopers are working to locate the person's family. Investigators also located a vehicle in the southbound lanes that they believe belonged to the deceased. The Washington State Patrol is leading the investigation into how and why the person ended up on the highway.
Scene and Traffic
YakTriNews reports that northbound SR 395 was reduced to a single lane at the crash site while troopers documented the scene, though traffic was not heavily impacted. Mosqueda said, "An investigation is underway into why the person was on the highway," and troopers are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information to contact investigators. Authorities anticipated reopening the northbound lanes within a couple of hours.
Why This Stretch Matters
U.S. 395 in Franklin County has been under the microscope after a series of serious collisions, and state lawmakers have been advancing a bill that would allow creation of "crash prevention zones" to boost enforcement and safety efforts. Coverage of the proposal notes it would let state and local officials flag high-risk segments of the highway and pay for short-term fixes such as stepped-up patrols and additional signage. Franklin Connection outlines the legislation and local concerns in more detail.
What Happens Next
The Washington State Patrol said investigators remain on scene as they work to notify the person's family and wrap up their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact WSP investigators. Media and the public can find public information officer contacts and guidance on reporting collisions on the Washington State Patrol website.
