Othello School District adjusts schedule for teen crash victims’ memorial

(left to right) Yaritzi Flores-Romero, Melissa Romero-Espinoza and Iris Ramos Cruz

Photos: GoFundMe

Othello School District will dismiss students early May 8 to make space for a community Celebration of Life at Othello High School for three 15-year-old girls killed in a rollover crash earlier this month.

The victims were identified as Yaritzi “Yari” Flores-Romero, Melissa Romero-Espinoza and Iris Ramos Cruz, all Othello High School students. Yaritzi was a member of the school’s wrestling team.

Superintendent Dr. Pete Perez announced the 3.5-hour early release schedule to allow use of the high school gym for the memorial. Othello High School and McFarland Middle School will release at 11 a.m., with lunch served and buses departing at 11:30 a.m. Elementary schools dismiss at noon, while preschool and Transitional Kindergarten classes are canceled.

The girls died April 26 when the pickup truck they were riding in rolled into an irrigation canal near Bench Road after being struck at high speed by a white Mercedes sedan, authorities said. Adams County deputies arrested 19-year-old Presiliano Perez-Pineda of Othello on three counts of vehicular homicide, with one charge carrying a domestic violence enhancement due to a prior relationship with one of the victims.

Perez said the district values the community’s support and encourages families to spend time together as needed.

In the rural expanse south of Othello, Washington, an irrigation canal became the site of an unimaginable loss on April 26, 2026. Three 15-year-old girls—Yaritzi “Yari” Flores-Romero, Melissa Romero-Espinoza, and Iris Ramos Cruz—were ejected from their Chevrolet Silverado pickup after it rolled following an alleged high-speed collision. First responders found the truck partially submerged, its front end visible above the waterline in some on-site photos, while the girls were located nearby in the canal. Surveillance and CCTV footage from the area captured moments that investigators and the community describe as shocking: a second vehicle striking the truck and continuing without stopping.

The driver of that second vehicle, a white Mercedes-Benz sedan, has been identified as 19-year-old Presiliano Perez-Pineda, who faces three counts of vehicular homicide. One count includes a domestic violence enhancement due to a prior relationship with one of the victims. The case, marked by graphic on-scene details, interrupted family statements, and compelling video evidence, continues to reverberate through the tight-knit agricultural town.

The Scene Near the Water’s Surface

Adams County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a rollover report around 12:20 p.m. near 2049 W. Bench Road. Upon arrival, they encountered the Chevrolet Silverado single-cab pickup off the road in an irrigation canal with extensive damage. On-site photos documented the truck partially submerged, its front end still visible above the waterline in certain angles, while other portions were underwater. The three girls were found ejected into the canal—one near the passenger side, one by the tailgate, and one farther east. All were pronounced dead at the scene.

Tire marks on the roadway told a story of sudden loss of control. The eastbound Silverado veered across the westbound lane, left the pavement, crossed a driveway, and entered the canal. Irrigation canals, essential for the Columbia Basin’s agriculture, are unforgiving hazards when vehicles depart the roadway. Water depth and the rollover dynamics contributed to the tragic outcome.

While the victims’ pickup was the one found partially submerged near the water’s surface, investigators soon located a second vehicle linked to Perez-Pineda—a white Mercedes with front-end damage—at a residence. This distinction is important: the submerged truck belonged to the victims’ party, while the Mercedes was secured separately for forensic examination. Debris in the canal and on the road, including Mercedes headlight components, bridged the connection.

CCTV and Surveillance Footage: Moments No One Could Believe

Multiple CCTV and surveillance systems in the area provided critical, near-continuous documentation. Footage from homes, businesses, and a church showed the Silverado traveling east, closely followed by the white sedan. Both vehicles appeared to exceed the 40 mph speed limit. One pivotal frame at approximately :17 seconds, just before the road curves toward the canal, captures their proximity in the moments leading to the collision.

The video allegedly depicts the Mercedes moving to pass and striking the driver’s side of the Silverado. The truck then loses control, veers, rolls, and enters the canal. The sedan continues east without stopping or rendering aid. No 911 call originated from the Mercedes driver. Witnesses offered corroborating accounts, though some perspectives varied on the exact passing dynamics.

Investigators described these captured moments as “unbelievable” in the context of failing to stop after a severe crash involving visible harm. Physical evidence—white paint transfer on the Silverado, matching headlight fragments with Mercedes emblems, and damage patterns—aligned precisely with the footage. A collision technician and scene processing further solidified the linkage.

The Second Vehicle and the Path to Arrest

The white Mercedes was traced to Oscar Perez Pineda, Presiliano’s brother, who permitted family use. It was recovered with passenger-side front-end damage. A victim’s parent, aware of the prior relationship and having viewed surveillance, reportedly confronted Perez-Pineda at a residence. According to the affidavit, he allegedly admitted striking the truck but leaving to avoid jail. He was taken into custody without providing a statement to investigators without counsel.

Messages reportedly from a family member offered an alternative account of the events, but these were deemed inconsistent with the video timeline showing the Mercedes following the truck. Perez-Pineda’s arraignment was scheduled for May 4, with bail set at $1 million.

A Family Member’s Interrupted Statement

In a recorded conversation about Yari Flores-Romero, a relative began answering a question and mentioned seeing Presiliano Perez-Pineda earlier that day. The speaker stopped abruptly, and the recording cuts off just before the name is fully spoken. This incomplete revelation has circulated in community discussions, adding emotional weight and speculation about possible earlier interactions on the day of the crash. Whether it indicates a sighting, conversation, or tension remains unconfirmed publicly, as families have primarily emphasized remembrance over speculation amid the active investigation.

Such moments underscore the human element: grief mixed with shock, caution in speaking while a case is pending, and the difficulty of processing events in real time.

Remembering the Girls: Lives of Light and Potential

The victims were vibrant freshmen at Othello High School with distinct passions and deep family ties.

Yaritzi “Yari” Flores-Romero excelled in wrestling for the Lady Huskies. Her team honored her “unmatched tenacity and fearless determination,” noting she was a role model who carried a smile and relentless drive. She loved her sisters and celebrated milestones like her quinceañera.

Melissa Romero-Espinoza was remembered for kindness, thoughtfulness, and joy around family. She enjoyed makeup and fashion.

Iris Ramos Cruz was outgoing and caring. Her sister Valeria described her love for baking, cooking, jokes, and beauty—especially long nails and fluffy lashes. Iris aspired to be a nail technician. “She always made us smile,” Valeria shared, capturing the daily warmth now deeply missed.

GoFundMe efforts and community fundraisers, including from local businesses like Tropical Express, have supported the families while celebrating these legacies. Superintendent Pete Perez coordinated counseling and support for students and staff.

Broader Implications for Rural Safety and Accountability

The partially submerged pickup near the water’s surface and the CCTV footage serve as stark reminders of risks on roads adjacent to irrigation infrastructure. Speeding, passing maneuvers, and the failure to remain at a crash scene exacerbate dangers in agricultural areas. Washington vehicular homicide laws address reckless or negligent driving resulting in death, with enhancements possible for flight or other factors.

The case also prompts reflection on youth relationships, emotional regulation in traffic, and community interconnectedness. In Othello, where families know one another through school, sports, and work, the impact is profound and collective.

Moving Forward Amid Grief

On-site photos of the truck with its front end visible above the waterline, combined with the unbelievable sequence in the footage, have become part of the public record of this loss. Yet for the families, the focus remains on love and memory. The interrupted family statement symbolizes many unresolved aspects—questions that may find answers in court but cannot restore what was lost.

Yari, Melissa, and Iris represented promise, joy, and connection. Their stories endure through tributes on the wrestling mat, in family kitchens, and in community calls for safer roads and responsible choices. As legal proceedings advance, Othello mourns, supports, and seeks understanding—honoring three lives taken far too soon near the water’s surface.