Wenatchee farmer killed in Highway 2 crash

DRYDEN – A Wenatchee farmer was killed Wednesday, Aug. 26, when his tractor was struck by a pickup truck on westbound U.S. Highway 2.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Ruben Pacheco Lopez, 59, died at the scene about 1:20 p.m. near Milepost 106.

Lopez was westbound on his Kabota tractor when a 2003 Dodge Dakota, driven bhy Derick S. Kuch, 32, of Leavenworth, struck him from behind, the patrol said.

Kuch was not wearing a seatbelt, but was not injured, the patrol said.

One of his passengers, Deepak R. Gohil, 32, of Seattle, was transported to a Wenatchee-area hospital. Jaxon Kuch, 6, and Kylie Kuch, 5, both of Leavenworth, were passengers in the pickup, but were not injured, the patrol said, noting all three passengers were wearing seatbelts.

Investigators have referred charges against Derick Kuch to the area prosecuting attorney’s office, the patrol said.

Lopez’s family was notified of his death by state patrol Sgt. G. Giacomazzi.

Mountain Highway Towing removed the vehicles from the crash scene.