MARYSVILLE — The driver who caused the Jan. 2 crash that killed two people along Highway 9 near Marysville had fallen asleep at the wheel, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The 62-year-old Lake Stevens man was issued a ticket for second-degree negligent driving and a $550 fine, trooper Mark Francis said.
The State Patrol recently wrapped up its investigation. No evidence was found that alcohol, drugs, driving too fast or cell phone use were factors in the crash.
Killed were Adam Huzar, 42 and Agnieszka Huzar, 38, a couple from Marysville.
The Lake Stevens man who caused the crash and his wife both were seriously injured and taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
He was driving a northbound Ford Explorer that crossed the center line, one mile north of 84th Street NE. The truck collided head-on with the Huzars’ Saturn in the southbound lanes.
It happened just after noon on a snowy day. The roadway was not icy at the time, troopers said. The Huzars both had head injuries and died at the scene. Both vehicles were destroyed.
The Lake Stevens man has no known criminal history in Washington. He told police he didn’t remember what happened and voluntarily submitted to a blood test after the accident.
Agnieszka Huzar was an assistant manager at the Marysville Fred Meyer, according to an obituary. Adam Huzar worked at Boeing. Memorial services were held in New Jersey.
At least two other fatal crashes in Snohomish County over the past year have been attributed to drivers who fell asleep. Drowsy drivers can exhibit the same symptoms as those who are impaired, including slower reaction times, shoddy concentration and poor judgment, according to the State Patrol.
Earlier this month, motorcyclist David Ames, 50, was killed after being struck by a driver who fell asleep on I-405.
On June 16, 2014, a 24-year-old Monroe man fell asleep at the wheel, killing three people on Highway 522 near Maltby, including his child, according to police.
The man, whose family disputes what caused the crash, also was cited for second-degree negligent driving.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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