Yakima man, 94, killed trying to help daughter free her car

A 94-year-old man working to help free a car that was high-centered on rocks in Terrace Heights was killed Thursday evening when the vehicle struck him.Kasper Kautzman of Yakima died at the scene in the 500 block of South 43rd Street, according to a Washington State Patrol news release.Kautzman was trying to help his daughter, Gloria Blisard, 71, free her car that was parked against brush and stuck on large rocks alongside her driveway when the accident occurred, Yakima County Coroner Jack Hawkins said.She was in a Chevrolet Impala while her father and her husband, 80-year-old Herb Blisard, tried to free it when they both were struck, Hawkins said.“She backed up and didn’t realize they were behind her and hit them,” Hawkins said.Kautzman died of head injuries, Hawkins said.Herb Blisard was taken with injuries to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Gloria Blisard was taken to the hospital for injuries unrelated to the crash, which was reported shortly before 7 p.m., according to the news release.Both were treated and released.Herb Blisard is a well-known retired instructor from Yakima Valley Community College.
The news release said the crash remains under investigation.
Intoxicants were not involved, troopers said.