A 29-year old Washington man is in custody following Wednesday night’s fatal traffic crash in Hermiston that resulted in the death of a 7-year old Irrigon girl and critical injuries to her mother.
After the vehicles came to rest, Nava fled on foot and was found hiding near the scene by a Hermiston police officer.
Roquez, who was wearing a seatbelt, was critically injured and initially transported by Hermiston Ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center. She was later flown by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland for treatment of her injuries.
Her daughter, Teleeya Roquez, 7, was seated in the rear middle position, properly restrained in a booster seat and safety belt. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nava was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center by Hermiston Ambulance where he was treated and released. OSP took Nava into custody and lodged him in the Umatilla County Jail on charges of second-degree manslaughter, felony hit and run, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and second-degree assault.
OSP troopers from the Hermiston and Pendleton offices are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office. Alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Hermiston Police Department, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Hermiston Fire and Emergency Services, and ODOT. The highway was closed over four hours.
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