A devastating head-on collision on State Route 283 in rural Grant County, Washington, claimed the life of 53-year-old Alejandro Cartago Hernandez from Ephrata on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026. The crash occurred around 5:45 p.m., approximately seven miles northeast of George, on a straight but isolated section of the highway surrounded by vast agricultural fields under darkening winter skies.
Washington State Patrol investigators determined that a southbound 2015 GMC Sierra, driven by 39-year-old Gerardo Silva Diaz of Quincy, veered across the center line into the northbound lane, striking Hernandez’s 2004 Ford F-150 with catastrophic force in a classic impaired-driving scenario that left no chance for evasion.
The impact centered on the front ends of both vehicles, crumpling the Ford F-150 severely and spinning the GMC Sierra amid shattering glass and deploying airbags in a violent exchange of momentum. Hernandez, traveling northbound alone in his pickup, bore the brunt of the direct collision, sustaining massive trauma that proved instantly fatal despite the rural highway’s moderate speeds.
The wreckage blocked both lanes temporarily, with debris scattered across the pavement and shoulders, illustrating the sheer energy released when a crossing maneuver eliminates all separation between oncoming traffic on undivided rural routes like SR 283.
Emergency responders from Grant County Fire District 5 and Washington State Patrol arrived swiftly to the remote location, navigating the evening conditions to secure the heavily damaged vehicles and assess casualties under emergency lighting. Paramedics confirmed Alejandro Cartago Hernandez deceased at the scene from injuries consistent with high-impact frontal collision, sparing transport efforts focused instead on the surviving driver.
Diaz, the sole occupant of the GMC Sierra, suffered injuries requiring immediate medical attention and was transported by ambulance to Quincy Valley Hospital for treatment and evaluation in the aftermath of the crash he allegedly caused.
Preliminary findings by troopers indicated alcohol and drugs as contributing factors, leading to the arrest of Gerardo Silva Diaz on charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence once medically cleared. The investigation involved standard protocols for impaired fatalities, including blood draws, scene reconstruction, and vehicle data analysis to confirm the lane departure and impairment levels.
The collision necessitated prolonged closure of SR 283 for evidence collection and wreckage removal, disrupting evening traffic while underscoring vulnerabilities on undivided state routes prone to crossover incidents. Both the GMC Sierra and Ford F-150 sustained total-level damage, with front-end destruction highlighting the unforgiving physics of head-on impacts even at non-interstate speeds.
Authorities continue examining potential additional elements like fatigue or distraction, though impairment stands as the primary focus in this preventable tragedy affecting families across Ephrata and Quincy communities.
Alejandro Cartago Hernandez lived a life grounded in the everyday commitments and connections of his Ephrata hometown amid Washington’s productive Columbia Basin region. His presence reflected the steadfast nature of residents navigating rural routines with quiet purpose. He leaves behind a legacy of a life well lived, touched by the enduring values and personal ties that sustain individuals in close-knit central Washington towns.