Wenatchee Mother Marcalina Santana Severely Injured in Fatal SR 26 Crash
On April 11, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on State Route 26 near Othello, Washington, resulting in the death of one individual and severe injuries to two others. The collision involved a 2006 Chevrolet Tilt truck, carrying three passengers, which struck the rear of a Case IH Magnum 340 farm tractor while both vehicles were traveling eastbound. The driver of the truck, 34-year-old Edson Quintero De La Cruz of Wenatchee, was pronounced dead at the scene, having not worn a seatbelt. Among the injured was 42-year-old Marcalina "Marcy" Santana, a Wenatchee mother of five, who sustained life-threatening injuries, including multiple lacerations, a fractured vertebra in her neck, a crushed pelvis, broken legs, arm fractures, and internal bleeding. She was airlifted to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, where she remains in intensive care following multiple surgeries.
Marcy Santana’s family describes her as "the light in the room" and a "beautiful soul," highlighting the profound impact of this tragedy on her five children—four boys and a toddler daughter. The Washington State Patrol has determined that the crash resulted from the truck following too closely behind the tractor, though it remains unclear if drugs or alcohol were factors. As Marcy faces a prolonged recovery without health insurance, her family has established a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses and support her children’s needs, such as groceries and transportation. Despite the severity of her condition, her family remains optimistic, noting improvement after two surgeries and affirming, "She is a fighter."
