2 dead, 4 hurt when tree falls onto car at Stevens Pass
STEVENS PASS, Wash. - Two people were killed and four others in the same family were injured when their SUV was struck by a falling tree near Stevens Pass on Friday afternoon, the Washington State Patrol said.
Timothy Owen, 58, of Bothell was driving a 1999 Chevy Suburban in the eastbound lane when the large tree fell around 1:20 p.m., troopers said. Owen and his wife, Cheryl Reed Owen, 56, were killed.
Two women and two men in the car, all in their 20s, were hurt and taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.
The four were identified as Jeremy M. Owen, 22; Jamie Owen Mayer, 24; Steven T. Mayer, 24; and Jessica J. Owen. All were children of the couple who died, friends of the family said.
Two of them, Jamie and Steven, were later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Jeremy was treated and released from Central Washington Hospital, and Jessica remains there in critical but stable condition.
The roadway was blocked for a time for the crash investigation but has since reopened.
About 53 inches of snow have fallen at the pass since Sunday. Further north, Mount Baker Highway just reopened Friday afternoon after being being closed for three days due to heavy snow and 175 trees that fell across the roadway.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says the heavy snow and strong winds snapped off tree trunks and branches and sometimes uprooted trees completely.
Timothy Owen, 58, of Bothell was driving a 1999 Chevy Suburban in the eastbound lane when the large tree fell around 1:20 p.m., troopers said. Owen and his wife, Cheryl Reed Owen, 56, were killed.
Two women and two men in the car, all in their 20s, were hurt and taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.
The four were identified as Jeremy M. Owen, 22; Jamie Owen Mayer, 24; Steven T. Mayer, 24; and Jessica J. Owen. All were children of the couple who died, friends of the family said.
Two of them, Jamie and Steven, were later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Jeremy was treated and released from Central Washington Hospital, and Jessica remains there in critical but stable condition.
The roadway was blocked for a time for the crash investigation but has since reopened.
About 53 inches of snow have fallen at the pass since Sunday. Further north, Mount Baker Highway just reopened Friday afternoon after being being closed for three days due to heavy snow and 175 trees that fell across the roadway.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says the heavy snow and strong winds snapped off tree trunks and branches and sometimes uprooted trees completely.
Thoughts go out to the family and friends. Sorry for your loss.Â
Tim was my soccer coach for years and I playedn with Jamie. Her sister I always admired and thought was so tough in a cool way and I'm sure she'll be strong now. I didn't know their little brother as well nor Jamie's husband. But my prayers of course are with them.
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Cheryl was always welcoming and loving to us crazy teenage girls. This is such a tragedy, the Owens are really some of the nicest, most generous and genuine people you could have the honor of meeting. My family and my prayers are with the four in the hospital for strength mentally, physically and emotionally.
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I'll never forget you Tim and all that you taught me on and off the field. RIP.
It's sad when the names are put out so soon when family members should be told by someone personally instead of the tv.
 @swan What you do not realize is that the 2 killed were husband and wife. Janine's last name was Reed - Owen. The 4 injured were there children... and son in law. They were one family and family was informed.
Wow, what a freak accident. Prays are with the love ones.Â
Terrible. Â So sorry for your loss.
In this nanny-state of safety whores, how do trees continue to get a free pass? Ban trees now! greenisthenewred.com
 @HawkEye How can you be making a joke about 2 people dying?! Seriously! Have some tact! : [
@ValleyBronco Please don't feed the troll.
What a horrible thing to happen AND at this time of the year. My condolences to the families and friends.Â
Damm...............