City of College Place Social Media PolicySchmick, Dylan-2021

Sergeant Dylan SchmickFacebook Logo
Public Information Officer
Cell: 509-520-2624



Press Releases

CPPD INVOLVEMENT WITH RECENT FATAL COLLISION 10-31-2023

On 10/28/2023 at 23:22 hours, College Place Police Officers as well as other regional law enforcement 
agencies were advised by our dispatch center that officers from the Milton-Freewater Police 
Department (MFPD) were in pursuit (in accordance with Oregon state laws) with a vehicle driving 
recklessly at speeds near 100 miles per hour. MFPD had lost sight of the vehicle as it was headed into 
Washington State. 

A Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office (WWCSO) Deputy and a Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper 
visually observed a dark colored, Chevy Impala traveling northbound on Highway 125 towards S. 9th
Avenue at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. They were not in a position to make a traffic stop. 
A short time later, a WSP Trooper located the vehicle, parked off Plaza Way and visually recognized the 
driver as 19-year-old, Yahir Melgoza of Walla Walla. At that time, it was reported that Melgoza was 
parked and standing out of the vehicle reaching into the trunk. Melgoza was a suspect in a recent 
shooting and currently under home monitoring. 

Based on the pursuit with MFPD and recent events involving firearms, a College Place Police Department 
(CPPD) Officer was arriving in the area to assist the WSP Trooper. As the Trooper approached the 
suspect vehicle, Melgoza re-occupied the vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed. As Melgoza fled, he
physically swerved in the direction of the arriving CPPD Officer, causing him to pull his vehicle to the side 
of the street to avoid a collision.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle as it fled the scene. Moments later, Officers attempted to catch up to a 
dark colored passenger car matching the description of Melgoza’s vehicle, headed northbound on S. 9th
Avenue, before it was determined that it was not the correct vehicle. 

Roughly 20 minutes later, a WWCSO Deputy located another dark colored Chevy Impala traveling at a 
high rate of speed westbound on Stateline Road from Beet Road. As the Deputy turned to initiate a 
traffic stop, the Deputy observed the vehicle appear to leave the roadway believing it may have been 
involved in a collision.

As the WWCSO Deputy arrived on scene, it was determined Melgoza’s vehicle had left the roadway and 
struck a power pole at a high rate of speed. Medics arrived on scene and began providing medical aid to 
Melgoza. 

CPPD Officers assisted the WWCSO with Melgoza while at the hospital and during transport due to the 
ongoing investigation into Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Suspicion of Driving Under the 
Influence. 

While at the hospital, Officers were notified that Melgoza passed away as a result of his injuries suffered 
in the vehicle collision.

No CPPD Officers or any other Washington State law enforcement officials were ever engaged in an 
active vehicular pursuit with Melgoza, nor was he ever placed into physical custody.


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