Agustina Valverde Ortiz and Flora Ortiz Perez Involved in Deer-Related Crash Near Ephrata, Washington

On June 13, 2025, a vehicular accident occurred near Ephrata, Washington, involving a deer and two vehicles. According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Zuri Tlahuel Jimenez, 19, of Moses Lake, was driving a Subaru Legacy when a deer suddenly entered the roadway, leading to a collision. The impact caused the deer to become airborne and subsequently strike a Lincoln Navigator operated by Agustina Valverde Ortiz, 40, of Quincy. The deer penetrated the windshield of the Navigator, striking Ortiz in the head and causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a ditch. Ortiz sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported via air ambulance to Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Her passenger, Flora Ortiz Perez, 52, also of Quincy, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. Jimenez was not injured in the incident.

The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife-related collisions on rural roadways. Authorities have reported the details as part of an ongoing investigation, with additional information expected to be released as it becomes available.