On Sunday, January 11, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a head-on collision on a rural highway in Grant County, Washington, claimed the life of a 53-year-old man. The crash occurred on State Route 283, specifically about seven miles northeast of the small town of George, near the intersection with Wanapum Road.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) reported that a 2015 GMC Sierra pickup truck, driven by a 39-year-old man from Quincy, was traveling southbound on SR 283. For reasons under investigation, the GMC Sierra veered across the center line and entered the northbound lane. At that moment, a northbound 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, driven by 53-year-old Alejandro Cartago Hernandez of Ephrata, was in the path of the oncoming vehicle.
The two pickup trucks collided head-on with tremendous force. The impact left both vehicles with catastrophic, “heavily damaged” front ends. Emergency responders from Grant County Fire District 13 and other agencies rushed to the scene on SR 283.
Alejandro Cartago Hernandez, the sole occupant of the Ford F-150, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the GMC Sierra was extricated from his vehicle and transported by ambulance to Quincy Valley Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
A critical finding from the WSP investigation was that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash. Troopers determined that impairment contributed to the 39-year-old Quincy man crossing the center line. Based on this evidence, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges against the driver. He now faces charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence (DUI).
The Washington State Patrol continues its investigation into the crash. The final collision report will detail the official findings. The tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of impaired driving, particularly on two-lane rural highways where split-second errors can lead to irreversible outcomes.
