Woman, girl killed as car crashes into dump truck in Whatcom Co.
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EVERSON, Wash. - A woman and a young girl were killed Friday morning when a car crashed head-on into a dump truck near the Whatcom County town of Everson, the Washington State Patrol reported.
State troopers were dispatched to the scene, near the intersection of Pole Road and Noon Road, at about 8 a.m. after receiving reports of a crash.
State Patrol trooper Brandon Lee said the woman, identified as Shyla Alsum, was driving a Honda Accord east on Pole Road when she swerved across the centerline and slammed into the oncoming dump truck.
The collision was so powerful it broke the front axle loose from the dump truck. The Honda was demolished and Shyla Alsum, 29, died instantly.
Two children, 6-year-old Jaidyn Alsum and 7-year-old Carter Norsby, were riding as passengers in her car. Both were taken to a local hospital, but Jaidyn died on the way there. Carter had to eventually be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was listed in serious condition.
The truck driver also was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
A co-worker remembered Shyla Alsum as an amazing person.
"She was full of life loved her kids more than anything in the world," said Melissa Hustead. "Amazing stylist there was none like her."
The truck was from Growsource, a topsoil and gardening company with nurseries in Everson, Lynden and Bellingham.
The state patrol says the cause of the accident is unknown, but the lack of skid marks could be a sign of either distraction or tiredness.
State troopers were dispatched to the scene, near the intersection of Pole Road and Noon Road, at about 8 a.m. after receiving reports of a crash.
 Shyla Alsum (left) and Jaidyn Alsum |
State Patrol trooper Brandon Lee said the woman, identified as Shyla Alsum, was driving a Honda Accord east on Pole Road when she swerved across the centerline and slammed into the oncoming dump truck.
The collision was so powerful it broke the front axle loose from the dump truck. The Honda was demolished and Shyla Alsum, 29, died instantly.
Two children, 6-year-old Jaidyn Alsum and 7-year-old Carter Norsby, were riding as passengers in her car. Both were taken to a local hospital, but Jaidyn died on the way there. Carter had to eventually be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was listed in serious condition.
The truck driver also was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
A co-worker remembered Shyla Alsum as an amazing person.
"She was full of life loved her kids more than anything in the world," said Melissa Hustead. "Amazing stylist there was none like her."
The truck was from Growsource, a topsoil and gardening company with nurseries in Everson, Lynden and Bellingham.
The state patrol says the cause of the accident is unknown, but the lack of skid marks could be a sign of either distraction or tiredness.
