Darren L. Leonard Killed in Kittitas County, Washington Single-Vehicle Interstate 82 Crash on January 5, 2026

A fatal single-vehicle crash along Interstate 82 in Kittitas County claimed the life of a young Wapato man during the early morning hours of January 5, 2026. According to the Washington State Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 5:15 a.m. near milepost 17 as a westbound pickup truck left the roadway and overturned.

Darren L. Leonard, 21, was a passenger in a 2012 Dodge 1500 carrying four occupants at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and two additional passengers were transported to MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital for treatment. Investigators indicated that speed too fast for conditions contributed to the loss of control. The incident remains under investigation by state authorities.