Former WSU student killed in crash near I-90

Man crossed center line and collided with a semi-truck, died on-scene

IAN SMAY, Evergreen reporter

A Pullman man died Tuesday night after a crash near Snoqualmie Pass and Interstate 90.

Washington State Patrol identified the victim as 28-year-old Jonathan Klopfstein of Pullman.

Klopfstein attended WSU starting in fall 2015, according to the WSU Office of the Registrar. His final semester of enrollment was spring 2017, and he did not receive a degree. He also worked for the university, according to the Office of the Registrar.

Klopfstein’s vehicle crossed the center line while traveling west on state route 18 and hit a semi-truck. The vehicle became engulfed in flames, according to a press release. He was pronounced dead on scene. Both vehicles were totaled as a result of the collision.

Officials identified the driver of the semi as 54-year-old Osman Mohamud of SeaTac. Mohamud was transported to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue for observation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

This story has been updated to reflect the incident as a “crash,” not an “accident,” as well as to reflect the name of the victim.