Victims in fatal George collision were Othello residents

GEORGE – Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison has identified the three individuals who passed away in a two-vehicle collision near George last week.

Morrison identified the victims as Arturo Galvez-Vazquez, 48, of Othello, Aaron Medel-Alvarez, 49, of Othello, and Tabita Pricilla Soto-Luis, 56, of Othello. Morrison said all three of the victims were unrestrained and ejected out of a full-size passenger van about 5 miles south of George last Thursday.

The van, a 2001 Chevrolet, reportedly collided with a 2005 Nissan Armada driven by Ma Guadalupe Grimaldo Vasquez, 51, of Quincy, at the intersection of Adams Road South and Frenchman Hills Road Southwest about 4:30 a.m. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports Vasquez was the sole occupant of the Nissan and there were 11 total people in the van, all of whom are said to have been en route to work.

The van, which was driven by Cristobal Herrera Lopez, 42, of Othello, was reportedly heading north on Adams Road South when it collided with the Nissan, which was heading east on Frenchman Hill Road Southwest. Frenchman Hills Road Southwest has a stop sign and initial reports from the sheriff’s office indicate the SUV failed to yield to the van.

The van left the road after it was struck and rolled one and a half times, ejecting several passengers. Eight people from the van and Vasquez received injuries. Vasquez was treated at a local hospital and released. Herrera Lopez was reportedly the only person in the van who was wearing a seat belt.

The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the collision and no charges have been filed. If you have any information contact the sheriff’s office at 509-762-1160 or email information to 509-762-1160. Tipsters can remain anonymous.