Pullman, Washington – A quiet Friday afternoon turned devastating on January 30, 2026, when 22‑year‑old Angelina D’Amato lost her life in a traffic collision on State Route 195 just north of Pullman. Friends and family are left reeling as the community tries to make sense of a crash that claimed a young life and left another fighting for survival.
Angelina was riding in a 2009 Toyota Corolla with a friend when they attempted to cross SR 195 from Albion Road toward Hamilton Hill Road around 1:30 p.m. That’s when the Corolla was struck broadside by a southbound semi‑truck hauling tanker trailers. The force of the impact pushed the smaller car off the road and into a nearby field.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Angelina was pronounced dead at the site. The driver, identified as 20‑year‑old Vincent Long of Maple Valley, survived the violent collision but was critically injured. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where doctors say he remains in a coma.
State Patrol troopers said both occupants were wearing their seat belts, and initial investigations indicate the crash happened because the car failed to yield the right of way. Impairment is not believed to have played a role. The truck driver, a 66‑year‑old man from Lewiston, escaped without injuries.
The highway was closed for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage and investigators pieced together how it unfolded. Neighbors and passersby reported seeing the emergency vehicles and the heavy presence along the rural stretch of the Palouse.
For those who knew her, Angelina wasn’t just a name in a report. She was a vibrant young woman with family and friends who describe her as warm‑hearted and full of spirit. Her sudden death has left a silence in places where her laughter once echoed.
In the wake of the tragedy, community members have come together to share memories, lean on one another, and honor a life cut far too short. Angelina’s story is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be–and how one moment can change everything.
