Shelton, Washington – Driver Hospitalized After Crashing into Tree Off Highway 101

Shelton, Washington (April 30, 2020) – A driver was taken to the hospital after crashing into a tree off Highway 101 near milepost 339 on early Thursday morning. According to a report from Grays Harbor Scanner, the 16 year-old male driver was taken to Mason General Hospital for treatment. The condition of the patient was not given. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

According to information from the Washington State Patrol, the teen was driving south in a 2006 Mazda 6 on Highway 101 near Purdy Cutoff Road. Around 2;15 a.m., the teen’s vehicle went off the road to the right and struck a tree. He was reported to have been driving under the influence, but the cause of the accident is still under investigation and charges are pending.

About Vehicle Accidents

According to facts from the Insurance Institute Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute, about 20% of vehicle crash deaths are from striking a fixed object along the side of the road. The top three fixed objects that are struck in these cases are traffic barriers, trees, and utility poles. As for the causes of crashing into these objects, the case is generally that of driver error. Some of the top contributing factors are alcohol, driving under excessive speed, falling asleep or simply driver inattention. Additionally, a car crash caused by another vehicle can cause another vehicle to crash into another fixed object. Some situational factors are road conditions, weather, and poor visibility. In relation to poor visibility, almost half of the fatalities in crashes involving fixed objects are said to have occurred at night. While there are options such as placing breakaway or shielding objects along roads, or increasing the visibility of such fixed objects, the best solution is often to remove the fixed object if possible. As can be seen in this case, even though no injuries were reported damage to fixed objects can result in long road closures.

Regardless of the type of vehicle accident, the best way to solve a car accident is to try and prevent it. We urge all drivers to follow traffic regulations on the road. This includes following road safety, making sure one’s vehicle is stable and ready for the road, and making sure that one is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol before getting behind the wheel. Additionally, one should take extra caution on roads where there are possible hazards. In doing these steps, we can ensure our chances of avoiding any loss, damage, death or injuries while on the street.

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