Mother killed in crash on U.S. 395; son will face vehicular homicide charge, WSP says

A mother in an SUV was killed in a crash early Monday after her son fell asleep at the wheel along U.S. Highway 395 in Adams County, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Jaciel Parra Medina, 18, was driving north on U.S. 395 about 24 miles south of Ritzville about 5 a.m. when the SUV he was driving left the roadway and rolled, WSP said. Investigators believe he was speeding and had fallen asleep at the time of the crash.

His mother, Gabriela Parra Belton, 48, was a passenger in the car and died at the scene. She had not been wearing a seat belt.

Parra Madina, who was not injured in the crash, was arrested and booked into the Adams County Jail on a charge of vehicular homicide.

Trooper Jeff Sevigney, WSP spokesman, said witnesses reported that Parra Medina appeared to be driving more than 100 mph prior to the crash.

Both riders in the SUV are from Victor, Idaho, which is east of Idaho Falls near the Wyoming border.

The driver did not appear to be under the influence, WSP said.