Michael McMullin was driving east along Highway 12 through Yakima County on Tuesday evening when a routine trip ended in disaster. The 45-year-old Kennewick resident lost control of his pickup truck while attempting to steer through a curve. His truck left the road, went onto the shoulder, and came to a stop in the dark mountain pass.
The crash happened shortly after 8 p.m., roughly one mile east of the White Pass Ski Resort. Emergency crews rushed to the scene along the quiet stretch of highway. Despite their efforts and the fact that McMullin was wearing his seatbelt, he died at the location.
Friends and neighbors in Kennewick woke up Wednesday morning to the heavy news of McMullin’s death. In a small community where people know their neighbors, word of the sudden loss spread fast. Friends recalled a hardworking local man who was always around when someone needed a hand or a quick laugh.
Investigators with the Washington State Patrol arrived at the crash scene late Tuesday night to examine the tire marks and the wreckage. Troopers mapped out the path of the pickup truck as it rounded the bend. They noted that the vehicle drifted off the main lane before hitting the outer shoulder.
State patrol officials confirmed that McMullin had his seatbelt securely fastened when the truck went off the road. Seatbelts often save lives in heavy crashes, but the force of the collision on the mountain shoulder was too severe. Investigators have not yet determined if alcohol or drugs played any part in the wreck.
Family members and close friends now face the hard task of planning services and putting pieces together. The sudden void left by McMullin has hit his family hard. Reminders of his daily routines and simple moments around town make his absence feel even sharper for those close to him.
The investigation into the crash remains open as troopers gather final reports and wait on official findings. For now, the people of Kennewick are leaning on each other to get through the grief. They remember McMullin not just as a name in a crash report, but as a family member and friend who was taken far too soon.
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