Darren Leonard, Stirling Leonard, and Cybthia Phillips Involved in Fatal and Injurious Crash on Interstate 82, Ellensburg, Washington, January 5, 2026

On January 5, 2026, a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 82, approximately 17 miles east of Ellensburg, Washington, resulted in the death of 21-year-old Darren Leonard of Wapato. Leonard, a passenger in the vehicle, was not wearing a seat belt and succumbed to injuries sustained when the car left the roadway and rolled. The incident occurred at approximately 5:15 a.m., under conditions deemed unsafe for the vehicle’s speed.

The vehicle’s driver, 21-year-old Cybthia Phillips of Wapato, along with two other male passengers—Stirling Leonard, 24, and a 25-year-old man—suffered injuries and were transported to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital. Neither of the male passengers was wearing a seat belt. At this stage, Washington State Patrol has not confirmed whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. Investigators continue to evaluate the circumstances, including road conditions and driver behavior.