Arlington man dies, son seriously injured in crash near Oso

Published 7:58 am Tuesday, August 31, 2010

OSO — An Arlington-area man died and his adult son was seriously injured in an early morning crash today on Highway 530 east of Oso.

The father, Keith Wheeler, 49, and his son Thomas, 27, were returning from a gathering in Idaho, relatives told the Washington State Patrol, trooper Keith Leary said.

Troopers believe Thomas Wheeler was behind the wheel around 5:15 a.m. when the car crossed the center line and struck a dump truck, Leary said. Keith Wheeler died at the scene and the son was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with leg injuries and burns. They were in an older model Buick sedan. It was damaged beyond recognition in the collision.

Relatives told investigators the father and son left Idaho shortly after midnight to return to the Arlington area, Leary said.

There was a heavy fog along Highway 530 at the time of this morning’s crash.

“Did he not see the curve due to the fog? Did he fall asleep? These are things we’re trying to piece together,” Leary said.

The truck driver wasn’t injured.

Highway 530 was closed for several hours during the investigation. Officials hoped to reopen the highway by midday.