PASCO — A Kahlotus city councilman was killed Tuesday morning, Nov. 25, in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 395 about two miles north of Pasco.
Washington State Patrol responded around 6:30 a.m. to the intersection of Highway 395 and Vineyard Drive. Perrie N. Robitaille, 77, of Kahlotus was driving a Hyundai Elantra eastbound on Vineyard when troopers say he failed to yield to northbound traffic. A Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Kalil C. Yandall, 37, of Temecula, Calif., struck Robitaille's car in the intersection.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Robitaille was pronounced dead at the scene after troopers tried to revive him. Yandall was taken to a Pasco hospital with injuries described as minor. WSP said failure to yield was the reported cause and had not determined whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Robitaille had just been returned to Kahlotus City Council Position No. 3 in the Nov. 4 general election, running unopposed and taking about 87% of the vote. He was also the father of Kahlotus Mayor Michael Robitaille.
Fire District 3 urged drivers along the 395 corridor to take extra time before crossing traffic. Apple Valley News Now reported WSP counting this as the 10th fatality in that stretch over five years. The day after the crash, Franklin County commissioners moved to send a letter to state and federal officials seeking help on dangerous 395 intersections north of Pasco, including Vineyard Drive.
