Fatal I-82 Crash Near Benton City Not Noticed for Several Hours

According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson, a man killed in an early Friday morning crash was in the wreckage of his vehicle for several hours before it was spotted.

Thorson says the man was eastbound on I-82 between Prosser and Benton City when he likely lost control of his vehicle. It crossed into the westbound lanes and rolled several times before coming to a stop in a nearby pasture. The time of the crash was estimated to be about 5AM.

Thorson and other investigators say it was several hours before the crash was spotted and reported. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not known if the man was killed immediately in the impact. It is also not yet known if he was wearing a seatbelt or what other factors contributed to the accident.

The investigation continues.