Hugo Verduzco Seriously Injured in Grant County Collision – Royal City, Washington, November 6, 2025

On November 6, 2025, Hugo C. Verduzco, a 55-year-old resident of Royal City, was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision on State Route 262 near milepost 5, approximately seven miles east of Royal City, Washington. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:54 a.m. when a 2018 Ram 1500 driven by Michael J. Richards, 55, of Othello, struck another eastbound vehicle from behind. The impact caused Verduzco’s farm equipment to overturn, ejecting him from the vehicle.

Verduzco was airlifted to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland with serious injuries. Authorities cited Richards for negligent driving in the second degree and identified distracted driving as the primary cause of the collision. Drugs and alcohol were not factors. Both vehicles came to rest blocking the roadway, resulting in a temporary closure of State Route 262 while emergency crews responded.