Leslie Karel, 66, of Richland, has been identified as the pedestrian who tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle late Saturday night, according to Benton County Coroner Bill Leach.

The fatal incident occurred shortly before midnight near the Safeway shopping center on George Washington Way. Emergency crews from Richland Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene and discovered Karel had succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities suspect the driver of the vehicle, a 40-year-old man, was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. The driver has been taken into custody and is currently held at the Benton County Jail, facing charges of vehicular homicide.

The community mourns the loss of Leslie Karel as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.