Mabton man killed in crash near Prosser

PROSSER, Wash.-- An early morning crash on I-82 in Benton County claimed the life of a Mabton man early Saturday morning.

According to a report from the Washington State Patrol, a blue Chevrolet Silverado driven by Kirk W. Wheeler, 60, Mabton, was headed eastbound on the interstate near milepost 80, just outside of Prosser.

Just before 5:00 a.m., the pick-up crossed the median into the westbound lanes, colliding with an oncoming semi-truck.

Troopers say Wheeler was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.

The driver of the semi, Ruslan N. Zolotnyuk, 33, Pasco, was not hurt.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.