Man killed in high-speed crash on coastal highway
WESTPORT, Wash. - A 31-year-old man was killed Saturday after he lost control of his car at high speed on a two-lane coastal highway and slammed into a power pole, the Washington State Patrol reported.
A second vehicle in the oncoming lane narrowly avoided becoming involved in the crash when its driver took an evasive maneuver at the last minute - which probably saved his life.
Troopers responded to the crash scene, about five miles south of Westport on Highway 105, at about 11:10 a.m. Saturday after receiving reports of the serious crash.
An investigation found that a 2006 Volvo was heading south on the highway at a recklessly high speed when it veered into the northbound lane just as the second vehicle, a 1996 Toyota pickup, was approaching from the north.
The driver of the Volvo over-corrected as he attempted to steer back into the southbound lane, lost control and slammed into a power pole at high speed.
The Volvo was virtually destroyed in the crash, rolling over and coming to rest on its top.
The pickup, meanwhile, swerved to the southbound shoulder to avoid contact with the Volvo and struck a road sign.
The driver of the Volvo, later identified as Jeremiah J. Marsh, 31, of Grayland, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the pickup, a 27-year-old Westport man, was not injured.
The crash with the power pole also knocked out electricity to about 2,500 homes in the area for a time.
The roadway was completely blocked for about five hours during the crash investigation.
A second vehicle in the oncoming lane narrowly avoided becoming involved in the crash when its driver took an evasive maneuver at the last minute - which probably saved his life.
Troopers responded to the crash scene, about five miles south of Westport on Highway 105, at about 11:10 a.m. Saturday after receiving reports of the serious crash.
An investigation found that a 2006 Volvo was heading south on the highway at a recklessly high speed when it veered into the northbound lane just as the second vehicle, a 1996 Toyota pickup, was approaching from the north.
The driver of the Volvo over-corrected as he attempted to steer back into the southbound lane, lost control and slammed into a power pole at high speed.
The Volvo was virtually destroyed in the crash, rolling over and coming to rest on its top.
The pickup, meanwhile, swerved to the southbound shoulder to avoid contact with the Volvo and struck a road sign.
The driver of the Volvo, later identified as Jeremiah J. Marsh, 31, of Grayland, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the pickup, a 27-year-old Westport man, was not injured.
The crash with the power pole also knocked out electricity to about 2,500 homes in the area for a time.
The roadway was completely blocked for about five hours during the crash investigation.
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