Tow truck driver killed in crash near Snoqualmie Pass
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. - A tow truck driver was killed in blizzard conditions near Snoqualmie Pass Sunday evening after being struck by a car.
Troopers say the crash happened in the shoulder of the westbound lanes of I-90 near exit 54 on the Kittitas County side of Snoqualmie Pass.
A tow truck was helping a driver that had become stuck in the snow on the freeway's right shoulder around 5 p.m. Meanwhile, a third car driving in the left lane lost control and slid across the freeway, striking the back of the disabled vehicle and then crashing into the tow truck driver, killing him.
The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Jason Halstead of North Bend. No one else was hurt.
Troopers say they are still investigating whether any charges will be filed.
Several other collisions forced state transportation officials to close I-90 through the pass for much of Sunday evening. The pass reopened Monday morning with chains required as heavy snow and near whiteout conditions persisted.
Troopers say the crash happened in the shoulder of the westbound lanes of I-90 near exit 54 on the Kittitas County side of Snoqualmie Pass.
A tow truck was helping a driver that had become stuck in the snow on the freeway's right shoulder around 5 p.m. Meanwhile, a third car driving in the left lane lost control and slid across the freeway, striking the back of the disabled vehicle and then crashing into the tow truck driver, killing him.
The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Jason Halstead of North Bend. No one else was hurt.
Troopers say they are still investigating whether any charges will be filed.
Several other collisions forced state transportation officials to close I-90 through the pass for much of Sunday evening. The pass reopened Monday morning with chains required as heavy snow and near whiteout conditions persisted.
I drive over Snoqualmie Pass a lot and it kills me to see people driving in the snow faster than in rain! Just because your car is able to get out of the snow and go fast doesn't mean you should be.
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As Chris Rock once said, "Just because you can drive with you feet doesn't make it a good ****** idea!"
I wish news people would stop writing things like ' the car lost control..." the car didn't lose control, the driver did. <DUH>  - but I am truly sorry for the family's loss. Too much speed and temper tantrums everywhere these days.
This was my friends husband who passed away! It's heartbreaking to see his name in writing above and heartbreaking to know the pain she is going through. Please be safe out in the world and love your friends and family, because you just never know!
 @AC Hello my name is Tiffany and I work for Elite Towing and Recovery in Yakima, I was wondering if you could give me a call so I could get some information from you on the funeral we would like to send flowers. I am truly sorry, this is a terrible loss. If you could help we would greatly appreciate it.
 @AC our number is 509-457-4869
@AC Please pass on my condolences to your friend and her family also. It's unbelievable what risks tow drivers are subject to. I am so sad to hear about this.
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Coincidentally, I've occasionally been watching a reality TV show on the National Geographic channel called Hell on the Highways which deals with the dangers tow truck drivers face on Donner Pass near the California border with Nevada. Sure, perhaps a bit melodramatic, but it still very vividly presents how dangerous the job actually is. As it has documented the deaths of tow operators on I-80, I just shake my head at the risks they take. It's scary enough to be on the shoulder of an interstate highway when the pavement is bare but to be working inches away from these drivers that are going way too fast for conditions is just unbelievably brave. My hats off and prayers to all the tow drivers and state patrol officers that risk their lives each winter on these slick roads with these truly inconsiderate and negligent drivers going way too fast for conditions and with tires that have inadequate tread.Â
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Slow down everybody! ...especially those driving SUVs that think just because it has AWD that the thing won't uncontrollably slide off the road.  Don't put these folks at additional risk!
@AC - tell your friend that I'm so sorry for her loss. I don't know them but I know these kinds of guys - helping others up there at the pass.Â
I also would like to extend my condolences to the family.
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My father, his two brothers ( who owned the Standard station and the Texaco station), and many other family members and friends worked the pass for years. My father had his leg pinned between the wrecker he was driving and a vehicle when I was a young boy on top of the pass. It's trecherous work up there.
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I'm sorry for your loss and my god bless him for putting himself out there to help others.
My condolences to this man's family and friends.
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I've driven over Snoqualmie Pass in blizzard conditions, and frankly, it's scary to see people drive up there. One time it was like pinballs up there with cars rolling around all over the place. And once they hit a car, some of these idiot drivers would get out of their car and walk on the freeway, with other cars coming down the road out of control. The tow truck drivers who have to get these people out of there but themselves in extreme harm's way. Very sad for this family, and so close to the holidays.
My sympathies to the family & friends of the tow truck driver. It's an underappreciated, dangerous job.
Prayers and condolences to the drivers family and friends. It's extra difficult to lose someone around Christmas.
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Please slow down and be extra cautious when the driving conditions deteriorate.
RIP Mr. Halstead and thank you for being there and trying to help someone else. Prayers to all involved in this tragedy.Â
Amen to this, because he was a good good man and it's such a tragic loss!
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RIP--Thanks for being a brave soul to work in those conditions while trying to help people!Â
WOW! That's just plain scary! Yeah drivers out there need to be extra careful and be safe in those conditions. PLEASE take care of yourselves. :(
My condolences to the tow truck drivers family and friends. Please everyone, let's take it easy and slow down in conditions like these. I would rather be late, than to never arrive at my destination. Be careful out there.
how about staying home until this storm passes?
 @Alikelystorey Seriously. Every year this plays out the same.  People seem to ignore the fact that crossing the Pass in winter may not always be possible. But they do it anyway. And over this holiday driving weekend, we'll have 9 hour traffic delays, as usual, and sadly many accidents.  It's okay to skype for Christmas, or to see your family in a few weeks, if it means staying safe. Â
 @Alikelystorey Or at least slow down and drive for the conditions....Every SUV seems to be driving 75 MPH this weekend....3 killed on I-90 in the past week. Friday, six rollovers between Cle Elum and Ellensburg.......All 4WD vehicles        Sad for the family of a brave man trying to earn an honest living and working in these conditions....RIP ...
4wd just means that you have 4 (ish) pulling...it does NOT increase overall traction nor does it increase BRAKING effort available.
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More Giddy-up....not more Whoa!
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Slow down and arrive alive!
@Lake Cle Elum @Alikelystorey 4WD does not guarantee safety, EVER! It's the driver who needs to be careful; slow down and live or stay home.
RIP man. Lets try to stay in control out there folks.
So much for an El Niño winter.. Woohoo!
@SensationaLies Really.  A man lost his life, and your response is regarding an El Nino winter, and a woohoo? Shame on you.
 @SCC To be fair, I believe (but not absolutely certain) that this article is the updated version of the merging of two news reports posted last night. One was a brief blurb about the impending storm and the other was a very truncated story about the pass being closed because of road conditions and accidents. It was reported that there was one fatality but didn't elaborate. I think I remember SensationaLies commenting on the first story about the big storm brewing and not to the one pertaining to the pass being closed because of a fatality.
@mandy h @SensationalLies - I had no idea that happened, that makes WAY more sense. Thank you for clearing that up! I apologize!!!
 @SensationaLies This was never an El Nino winter, we are in a neutral winter (which generally results in bigger storms)
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http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2012/11/seattle-gets-ready-for-snow.html
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 @SensationaLies It's only one storm, not the entire season.
 @Furd  @SensationaLies It's not an El Nino winter... they went Neutral with the forecast about a month or so ago...
 @Throbbinhood  @Pete1268 nope, because models showed otherwise, waters were no longer as warm
@Pete1268 Because its the "safe" way to lean. No guts, no glory in the weather center...