TOPPENISH, Wash. - Both directions of US 97 were temporarily closed due to a deadly car versus garbage truck crash.

A press memo from the Washington State Patrol says 88-year-old Juan Romero from Sunnyside was driving eastbound on Larue Road around noon when he failed to yield for an incoming garbage truck that struck his pickup truck.

Romero was pronounced dead at the crash. Next-of-kin have been notified, according to WSP.

Romero was reportedly not wearing his seat belt. The garbage truck driver was uninjured in the crash.

The closure was near milepost 61 south of Toppenish and a detour was in place, according to the Washington Department of Transportation.

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