Yakima man dies after improper passing on I-82

A Yakima man died in a rollover collision Tuesday on Interstate 82 at milepost 13, 13 miles south of Ellensburg.

Christian Denend, 24, was driving a 1995 silver Nissan Altima westbound at 4:24 p.m. when he attempted to pass a vehicle on the left shoulder, according to the Washington State Patrol. Denend lost control of his vehicle, collided with another vehicle and then left the roadway with the vehicle rolling several times.

Denend was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle when it rolled, according to the WSP. He died at the scene.

Christina Klein, 45, of Yakima was driving the 2005 grey Dodge Ram pickup that Denend struck. Kevin Klein, 47, of Yakima was a passenger in Christina Klein’s vehicle. They were uninjured.

The cause of the crash was determined to be improper passing, according to the WSP.