Death by Cop 2022-2024
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Yahir Rafael Melgoza-Ochoa
Gender : Male
Age : 19
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 10/29/2023
Location : Stateline Rd
City : Walla Walla
County : Walla Walla
State : Washington
Agency : Walla Walla County SO
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Walla Walla County deputies escalated a chase until the driver crashed into a power pole and died. The Sheriff’s Department did not say why they chased the man, merely stated they tried to arrest him. Washington State originally in April of 2021 prohibited almost all police pursuits. This was fought by the GOP and police unions and in 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed and governor Jay Inslee signed a reversal of many of the pursuit restrictions, allowing pursuits in certain cases. Police have not yet disclosed why they initiated this pursuit. All new information will be posted here when it becomes available.
