Oak Harbor Man Killed in High Speed Crash on SR525

Island County, Washington- The Washington State Patrol responded to a fatal crash on State Route 525 near Cameron Road around 3:29 pm on September 28th, 2016.

According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, 24-year old Richard Clark of Oak Harbor was traveling Southbound State Route 525 in a Red 1994 Acura Integra behind a green 1997 Toyota 4Runner driven by 65-year old Stephen Judd of Clinton.

The press memo states Mr. Clark attempted to pass the 4Runner on the right shoulder and struck the 4runner, causing both vehicles to lose control and come to rest in heavy brush in a ditch on the South side of the road.  Mr. Clark was ejected from his vehicle and thrown about 60 feet from the crash site. The South Whidbey Record reported Mr. Clark was transported by ambulance to a nearby field awaiting a medical helicopter from Airlift Northwest when he died from his injuries.

Trooper Mark Francis said, “Prior to the crash, two witnesses had reported the Acura to 9-1-1 dispatch  for driving erratically. The first report came in just South of Oak Harbor.  A Short time later an Island County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the Acura driving erratically North of Freeland and by the time he turned around the vehicle was gone.  As the Deputy made it to the top of the hill just North of town, he watched the crash happen in the distance ahead of him.”

Witnesses to the crash said the driver had passed two buses at a high rate of speed just prior to the crash.

The cause of the crash is listed as “Bad pass and speed.”