By Crash News Writer 
Yakima, WA (November 13, 2026) – A woman was killed, and her husband, a former Major League Baseball player and Yakima mayor, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon, November 8, following a head-on collision on Coolidge Road in Yakima. Authorities reported that the accident involved a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old man who was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
According to reports from NBC Right Now, Yakima police officers and firefighters responded to the collision at approximately 4:30 p.m. in the West Valley area of Yakima.
The victims were identified as Dave Edler, a former Seattle Mariners third baseman and Yakima mayor, and his wife, Susie Edler. The couple was traveling along Coolidge Road when another vehicle reportedly struck theirs head-on.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene and provided medical assistance to the injured occupants. Susie Edler was transported to a hospital, where she later died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Dave Edler suffered serious injuries, including head trauma, and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for specialized treatment. According to a statement released by Yakima Foursquare Church, he was hospitalized in critical but stable condition following the accident.
Authorities reported that alcohol was believed to have contributed to the collision. The 26-year-old driver of the other vehicle was arrested at the scene and reportedly charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
Investigators have not released the suspect’s identity in the available reports. Additional information about the driver’s alleged impairment, the vehicles involved, and the precise circumstances leading to the head-on collision was not provided.
The initial reports also did not establish whether other passengers were involved or whether anyone else sustained injuries. Authorities have not disclosed the vehicles’ speeds or explained how the suspect’s vehicle entered the path of the Edlers’ vehicle.
Dave Edler played Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners from 1980 through 1983. During his four-season career, he appeared in 126 games and recorded six home runs and 36 RBIs.
Following his baseball career, Edler remained involved in the Yakima community and served as the city’s mayor from 2006 to 2010. He and Susie were also involved with Yakima Foursquare Church, which shared a public statement following the accident.
Church leaders expressed their condolences and asked community members to support the Edler family as Dave continued receiving medical treatment. The church also acknowledged the impact of Susie’s death on their family, friends, and the surrounding community.
The collision remains the subject of a criminal investigation. Although authorities have reported an arrest and charges, the allegations have not been established as facts through a criminal conviction.
Additional details may become available as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the collision and the criminal case proceeds.
Protect Your Rights After a Fatal Car Accident Today
Head-on collisions can result in catastrophic injuries when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike one another. These accidents may cause serious head injuries, internal trauma, broken bones, and other life-threatening conditions, particularly when the impact occurs at higher speeds.
When alcohol impairment is suspected, investigators may examine whether a driver violated traffic laws and whether those actions contributed to the collision. However, an arrest or criminal charge does not automatically establish civil liability, and the evidence must support any claim of negligence.
Under car accident laws in Washington, injured individuals may have grounds to pursue compensation when another party’s negligence causes a collision. When an accident results in death, eligible surviving family members may also have legal options under Washington’s wrongful death laws.
People searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Yakima should understand that a criminal investigation and a civil injury claim serve different purposes. Criminal proceedings address alleged violations of the law, while civil claims may address financial losses, injuries, and other damages caused by negligent conduct.
An official car accident report may contain important information about the vehicles’ movements, roadway conditions, witness statements, and the investigating officers’ findings. In suspected impaired-driving accidents, investigators may also examine available toxicology evidence, vehicle damage, electronic data, and the sequence of events leading to the impact.
Washington generally allows three years to file personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, subject to applicable exceptions. Wrongful death actions are also generally subject to a three-year limitation period, although the circumstances of a particular claim may affect the applicable deadline.
Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning an injured person’s damages may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility. Unlike states that bar recovery above a particular fault percentage, Washington generally allows recovery even when a claimant shares substantial responsibility, with damages reduced accordingly.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Yakima may also want to understand how insurance coverage applies when a collision results in serious injuries or death. Liability insurance, personal injury protection when applicable, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may become relevant depending on the available policies and circumstances.
In cases involving suspected intoxication, evidence from the criminal investigation may become important in a related civil claim. However, the legal standards and available remedies differ, and the outcome of one proceeding does not necessarily determine the outcome of another.
Washington law permits wrongful death claims when a person’s death results from another party’s legally wrongful conduct. Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include qualifying economic losses and other damages recognized under state law.
Families affected by fatal collisions may need to preserve medical records, accident reports, insurance communications, and other available evidence. These materials can help clarify the circumstances of the accident and document the losses associated with the injuries or death.
In the November 8 Yakima collision, authorities reported that alcohol was suspected and that the other driver had been arrested and charged. The investigation and criminal proceedings will determine whether the available evidence supports those allegations.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by NBC Right Now and PennLive concerning the November 8 head-on collision involving Dave and Susie Edler in Yakima. Details may change as investigators release additional findings and the criminal case proceeds.
- Susie Edler died following a head-on collision Sunday, November 8, on Coolidge Road in the West Valley area of Yakima. Emergency personnel responded to the accident at approximately 4:30 p.m.
- Her husband, former Seattle Mariners player and Yakima mayor Dave Edler, sustained serious injuries, including head trauma. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and was reported to be in critical but stable condition.
- Authorities reported that a 26-year-old driver struck the Edlers’ vehicle head-on. Alcohol was suspected as a contributing factor, although the complete circumstances of the collision have not been released.
- The 26-year-old driver was arrested at the scene and reportedly charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. The charges are allegations, and the individual is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
- Yakima Foursquare Church released a statement mourning Susie Edler’s death and requesting support for Dave Edler and the couple’s family. Readers seeking information about accident investigations and civil claims can review our frequently asked questions in Washington.
- The collision remains under investigation, and additional information may become available as the criminal proceedings continue. Families affected by serious accidents can explore accident resources in Washington for information about available assistance and legal options.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports at the time of publication and may change as investigators release additional findings. Criminal charges described in this report are allegations and do not establish guilt. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances. The publisher assumes no responsibility for decisions made based on this information. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
If your family has lost a loved one or suffered serious injuries in a collision involving a suspected impaired driver, contact a Washington personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and whether a personal injury or wrongful death claim may be available.