Eatonville man killed in crash on rural Hwy. 7
LAGRANDE, Wash. - A 40-year-old Eatonville man was killed early Sunday when his pickup crashed into a tree on a rural, winding highway north of LaGrande, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Drugs or alcohol were believed to be a factor in the crash.
State troopers responded to the scene, at Highway 7 and Ohop Valley Road, at about 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious crash.
The crumpled remains of a 2012 Toyota pickup were found off the side of the highway. The driver, identified as Douglas S. Chappell, 40, of Eatonville was found dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that Chappell had been heading south on the highway approaching Ohop Valley Road when his pickup veered off the roadway to the left, slamming into a tree on the passenger side.
There were no passengers in the pickup with Chappell, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Drugs or alcohol were believed to be a factor in the crash.
State troopers responded to the scene, at Highway 7 and Ohop Valley Road, at about 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious crash.
The crumpled remains of a 2012 Toyota pickup were found off the side of the highway. The driver, identified as Douglas S. Chappell, 40, of Eatonville was found dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that Chappell had been heading south on the highway approaching Ohop Valley Road when his pickup veered off the roadway to the left, slamming into a tree on the passenger side.
There were no passengers in the pickup with Chappell, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
my cousin Doug just lost the best aunt any one could ever have 2 weeks ago. The article says "believed" not "was". Doug lived in the area all his life. He probably swerved to avoid a deer or other animal. He is already missed by all that knew him. We love you Doug.
He's damn lucky nobody else was on the road. If you've never been on Hwy 7 up by Ohop, its a nasty stretch of road. Its 2 lanes, really winding, and its pitch black dark out there at night. Add in the wild animals that cross and it makes it an extremely dangerous stretch of road, even without alcohol.
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It sucks that someone else has died, but come one people! STOP DRINKING AND DRIVING! Plain and simple!
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~I have zero tolerance for stupidity. Drinking and driving is pure stupidity~
 @Tattooed_Angel you know what doug was a friend of mine of yes i agree drinking and driving is dumb but come on do you realy need to talk badly about someone who just lost thier life? RIP DOUG YOU WILL BE MISSED
@Kristen Mierke I wasn't talking badly about your friend. I am sorry that he has passed away but he shouldn't have been drinking and driving otherwise he would probably still be alive.
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A very close friend of mine was killed years ago by a drunk driver. Drinking and driving is selfish and while your friend lost his life, at least no one else had to die because of his selfishness.
 @Tattooed_Angel  @Kristen you are a master of the obvious aren't you. Love you Dougie - RIP
Those pesky trees keep getting in the way of DUI drivers who run off the road, imagine that. At least no other people sharing the road was hurt in this rare occurrence that seldom happens here in the PNW. You know, a DUI driver . . . . behind the wheel.