Skagit County, Washington – One Dead, Two Injured in Head-On Collision at State Route 20

Skagit County, Washington (January 3, 2020) – One person was killed and two others were injured in a head-on collision involving two vehicles on State Route 20 on early Friday morning. According to the Washington State Patrol press memo on Skagit Breaking Community News, a 19 year-old man from Oak Harbor died on the scene. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle were transported to Whidbey Health for treatment of undisclosed injuries. No further word has been given regarding their conditions.

The incident occurred around 2:42 a.m. on State Route 20, north of Deception Road. The Oak Harbor man was heading north on the highway when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck the passenger side of a southbound car. The collision caused both vehicles to catch on fire. It was reported all three people were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation, and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The incident caused both directions of State Route 20 to be closed, but were reopened later by 5:30 a.m.

About Vehicle Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. Unfortunately, this is not the only case of fatality in car accidents. In 2017, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  have reported a total of 120, 993 car accidents. Of those accidents, 525 were fatal and 34, 311 were possible or suspected of injuries. There are several types of collision that may happen, such as side collision, rollover collision, and head-on collision. Of the types of car accidents, head-on collisions are considered the most dangerous due to the circumstances – two cars are heading towards each other, with a great amount of force being experienced by all parties when the impact happens. While only 2% of car accidents are head-on collisions, they account for more than 10% of car-accident related injuries. These injuries are quite dangerous as most of them are head, spine or neck-related, including spinal injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, broken bones, and whiplash. Similarly, victims of side collisions and rollover collisions also suffer may also suffer head and neck injuries, though the risk is lower in these types of collisions. In rollover collisions, the car will come to rest on its side or roof, resulting in a dangerous situation which passengers might need to be extricated from. In side collisions, the greatest risk comes to the passenger on the particular side that received the impact. No matter the type of accident, all crashes are bound to cause a dreadful situation for all involved.

We urge all drivers to be careful while behind the wheel. When in a location where hazards such as poor illumination, rough roads or construction materials are present, be especially cautious. By doing this, we can ensure our safety as well as the safety of others in the nearby area.

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