Three juveniles were killed in a two-vehicle crash on the outskirts of Sunnyside in Yakima County late Saturday, July 18, 2026, in what investigators are calling a suspected DUI wreck. The collision happened near Mabton at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Snipes Pump Road and left multiple young people dead at the scene. Authorities say the crash involved a Subaru and a Volkswagen, and that one driver is expected to face criminal charges.
According to a press release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at approximately 9:52 p.m. on July 18 to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Snipes Pump Road. Investigators say a 2017 Subaru Legacy was turning eastbound from Snipes Pump Road onto Green Valley Road when it was struck by a westbound 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. Five people were in the Subaru, all juveniles, and three of them were ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The Subaru's driver and front passenger were transported to a nearby hospital, and the sheriff's office says the driver is expected to be booked on three counts of vehicular homicide.
Local outlets reported that the victims were all under 18 and that families have been notified. The Volkswagen driver was also taken to a hospital with injuries that were not disclosed. As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, investigators described the wreck as a suspected DUI. The Tri-City Herald also summarized the sheriff's release and noted that multiple agencies responded to the scene.
Impaired Driving Remains a Leading Cause Statewide
State traffic safety data indicate that even as alcohol-involved fatalities have dipped recently, impairment is still a major factor in deadly crashes. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission's 2025 annual report cites a preliminary estimate of 174 alcohol-involved fatalities in 2024 and highlights rising poly-substance impairment among drivers, particularly those ages 16 to 25.
Legal Outlook
The sheriff's release says the Subaru driver is expected to be booked on three counts of vehicular homicide. Under Washington law (RCW 46.61.520), vehicular homicide can be charged when a driver's operation of a vehicle while intoxicated or in a reckless manner proximately causes a death. It is a felony that carries significant penalties.
What Investigators Say and Next Steps
Deputies said the Yakima County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Grandview, Sunnyside and Mabton police departments, the Washington State Patrol and Yakima County Fire District 5 while they processed the investigation. Authorities have not released the victims' names as families are being notified, and investigators asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office.
The crash is a stark reminder of how deadly impairment and high-risk driving can be, especially for young passengers. Officials say the investigation remains active and that they will release further information as it is confirmed.
