MOSES LAKE, Grant County, Wash., Oct. 2, 2026 — Two men died on Wednesday night, September 30, after a car struck the back of a semi-truck on I-90 near Moses Lake. The truck driver reportedly left before troopers arrived.
The Washington State Patrol said 29-year-old Brody Milbrandt of Moses Lake was driving east on I-90 around 9:45 p.m. with 27-year-old Craig Dennis, also of Moses Lake, when his car rear-ended a semi-truck ahead of them. Both men died at the scene.
The semi-truck driver did not stop and left before law enforcement reached the crash site. Troopers are treating the case as a hit-and-run and are working to identify and locate the driver and truck involved.
Detectives have not said whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, but the cause remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims.
How Investigators Piece Together a Hit-and-Run Crash
When a driver leaves the scene of a fatal crash, investigators have to work two cases at once: reconstructing how the collision happened and tracking down who fled. Crash reconstruction teams measure skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage to determine speed and point of impact, usually returning to the scene in daylight to document details that are hard to see at night. Any paint transfer, vehicle parts left behind, or nearby surveillance and dash-cam footage can help identify a vehicle that did not stop.
Toxicology results, when relevant, typically take several weeks to come back from a state lab, which is part of why agencies are usually slow to confirm whether drugs or alcohol were a factor. Names are usually held until the medical examiner's office confirms identity and notifies next of kin, a step agencies will not skip even when public interest in a case is high.
A finished report, including findings on fault and any contributing factors, sometimes isn't released until the investigation and any related search for a fleeing driver are complete. That timeline can stretch into weeks or longer, especially when the person responsible has not yet been found.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 80 percent of hit-and-run fatalities occurred in darkness in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a crash more likely to turn fatal?
Speed, the size difference between vehicles, and whether occupants were belted in all play a role. A passenger car striking a large truck, as in this case, usually means a greater difference in force absorbed by the smaller vehicle.
Does speed really change survival odds that much?
Yes. Higher speed means more energy has to be absorbed in a crash, and stopping distances grow quickly, which is part of why rear-end collisions on highways can be so severe.
Why does wearing a seat belt matter so much in a crash like this?
A seat belt keeps an occupant from being thrown forward or out of the vehicle on impact, which lowers the chance of being thrown against the dashboard, windshield, or roof.
What should a family do after a loved one dies in a crash like this?
Contacting the investigating agency for updates, requesting a copy of the crash report once it's finalized, and reaching out to the county medical examiner's office are common first steps.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Moses Lake, WA
If you witness a crash where a driver leaves the scene, try to safely note the vehicle's description, direction of travel, and any part of the license plate before calling 911. Stay with anyone who is injured if it's safe to do so, and let dispatchers know a driver has fled so troopers can begin searching right away.
Anyone involved in or affected by a hit-and-run should get a copy of the police report once available and follow up with the agency handling the case for updates. If you were injured, seek a medical evaluation even if you feel fine at first, since some injuries aren't immediately obvious. For families coping with a loss, local victim advocate programs through the county or state patrol can help explain next steps and connect you with support resources.
