Yakima County DUI Driver Dies After Truck Plows Into Canal Near Grandview

The incident occurred June 24th, but this week, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office released information about a fatal DUI.

   The Male Driver Plowed into A Main Irrigation Canal

Around 11:35 PM June 24th, YCSO Deputies, Grandview Police and EMS responded to a reported crash in the 1200 Block of Olmstead Road, about a vehicle in the canal.

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The crash site was about 3/4 of a mile northeast of Grandview.  The YCSO says upon arrival they found the vehicle, a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup, fully submerged.  The canal is a large wide feeder canal that carries water to numerous other systems, and many of these are anywhere from six to 10 feet deep.

 The crash area is circled in red in the image in our story.

   A Deceased Man Found Inside

Deputies and EMS found the driver, identified as 41-year-old Leopoldo Mora Jr. inside, and he was deceased.  The truck had been traveling north on Olmstead when it veered off the road, and plunged into the canal.  Officials did not say if Mora died from the impact or if he drowned inside the cab.

The investigation is still onoing, but YCSO Traffic Unit Investigators believe alcohol was a significant factor in the crash.