Daniel T. Zarate Death – A 25-year-old man from Kennewick tragically passed away on Thursday after losing control of the truck he was driving approximately 20 miles west of Walla Walla. According to the Washington State Patrol, Daniel T. Zarate was traveling west on Highway 12 in an Isuzu NPR truck when he veered off the road at Nine Mile Hill just before 5 p.m.
In an attempt to correct his course, Zarate ended up colliding head-on with a Ford F-350 that was traveling in the opposite direction on the two-lane highway. Despite wearing a seat belt, Zarate succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The reason behind his loss of control remains unclear. The other driver involved, Joshua P. Hoover, a 37-year-old resident of Burbank, was airlifted to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Authorities have revealed that Hoover was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.
Kadlec officials have reported that Hoover’s condition has been stabilized, and he has been transferred to another medical facility. Due to the crash investigation, the state patrol had to temporarily close the rural Walla Walla County highway. This incident marks the fourth fatal crash in the Tri-Cities area within a week, with the previous three occurring on Interstate 82.
Zarate’s aunt, Chalissa Gazca, organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and described him as a loving and compassionate individual. “He was always there for everyone and was one of the most humble people I have ever met,” she shared. “He was a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend to many people.”
