Third man dies after Highway 522 crash

Published 8:06 pm Tuesday, August 3, 2010

MONROE — Another man died Monday morning after a crash that already claimed two lives on Highway 522 this weekend.

An Everett man, Christopher S. Anderson, 26, died early Monday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said.

Investigators believe Anderson and two other men were westbound on Highway 522 when their car, a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon, crossed over the centerline and hit an oncoming pickup.

The driver of the car and another passenger died at the scene. The patrol identified the men as Brian James Morgan, 23, of Lynnwood, and Steven J. Torres, 35, of Everett.

Investigators on Monday were trying to determine why the Hyundai veered out of its lane. It appears that drugs or alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, according to the patrol.

The Hyundai struck a 2001 Ford F250 in the eastbound lanes. The driver of the pickup, a 26-year-old Snohomish man, was taken to Valley General Hospital with minor injuries.

He was arrested for investigation of drunken driving, trooper Bob Wilson said. “A blood draw was done. He was transported to the hospital and we did not book him into jail,” Wilson said. Toxicology results are expected back in a few weeks, he said. The man may face DUI charges based on the results.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on Monday. No additional information was released.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.