Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, July 9, 2009

U.S. 2 set to reopen by noon after fatal crash

By Jackson Holtz
Herald Writer

 MONROE – A Snohomish County deputy and his prisoner were recovering and reported in stable condition this morning after a fiery crash on U.S. 2 west of Monroe early this morning that left one person dead.

The county's main east-to-west highway has been closed since the 4 a.m. crash. Officials plan to reopen the highway before noon.

Detectives are just beginning the investigation into what apparently caused a small pickup to cross the center line and crash head-on with a Snohomish County sheriff's patrol car. The accident occurred at the western intersection with Roosevelt Road, Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said.

The truck was consumed by flames and the driver died at the scene. The driver's body was burned beyond recognition. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner will determine the person's identity.

The patrol car spun around and landed in a ditch alongside the highway.

Firefighters had to cut the roof of the patrol car off to remove the deputy and his prisoner.

The roof of the charred pickup also needed to be cut open to remove the victim.

The deputy was taken by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Leary said. The deputy was alert and conscious when he left the accident scene. His injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

His passenger was taken to a local hospital and was expected to be released to deputies this morning, Leary said. He had been arrested on a domestic violence-related incident.

The deputy, 35, has been with the sheriff's office for 3 years. He has prior law enforcement work history, Leary said.

The crash is being investigated by crash detectives from the Washington State Patrol and the sheriff's office.

"It's a very long investigation," Leary said.

Pieces of both vehicles were scattered across the road this morning. Each shred of evidence, including large pieces of a vehicle's bumper and construction equipment from the back of the pickup, were circled in orange spray paint.

Detectives were carefully documenting the scene. A sheriff's helicopter took aerial photos.

The detectives will try to determine what caused the fatal crash. It's unclear at this point, Leary said.

This morning's crash likely means that recently installed safety signs on U.S. 2 will be reset to zero. The signs display the number of days since the last serious collision.

U.S. 2 has been designated a traffic safety corridor due to the high number of serious and fatal collisions on the stretch of road from Stevens Pass to Everett.

A Wenatchee man, 22, died May 30 east of Gold Bar when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree.

Detectives are asking that anyone who may have seen a tan pickup driving eastbound along U.S. 2 early this morning to call Sgt. Jerry Cooper at 425-876-5828.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA