Mount Vernon, Washington – One Dead, One Injured In Car Crash

Mount Vernon, Washington (April 17, 2019) – A man died and a woman was injured when their vehicle slipped off the road into a water-filled culvert at Pioneer Highway and Milltown Road on Wednesday evening. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman has been rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, though the extent of her injuries has not been detailed.

The car was was heading south on Pioneer Highway when it attempted to turn east at a private drive at Milltown Road, where the car’s tires slipped off the road. The car slipped down the embankment and ended up in the culvert. Troopers don’t know who was driving and whether impairment was a factor in the crash.

About Vehicle Accidents

Unfortunately, this is not the only case that a car accident has lead to injuries. Vehicle accidents are common and may happen more frequently than you think. 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.

While there appear to be few statistics and study related to injuries and/or fatalities involved with vehicle drowning, it is very clear that a car falling into water is a serious situation. When the car falls into water, the amount of water that comes inside the vehicle depends on the rate that the vehicle entered the water. When a car gently slips into water for example, water gets inside slower, but a more forceful crash can easily push the water inside the vehicle and displace the air within. This is because a car is not completely sealed in, and after being submerged it will only be matter of minutes until the vehicle’s interior is flooded. If the windows haven’t been broken by the impact, the water pressure outside the vehicle will make opening any doors or windows more difficult. In any case, the priority in this situation would be to get out as soon as possible, and it has been recommended that anyone trapped inside a submerged vehicle should try to open an exit.

While it pays to keep in mind the steps necessary to take in such a situation, the best way to handle an accident is to try and prevent it. We urge all drivers to practice caution while out on the streets. Be especially careful on late hours, especially if the road is lacking sufficient illumination. It would also help to identify busy roads and try to avoid being in their proximity to minimize any risk of a vehicle accident. Any mistake can lead to injuries and damage not only to your person, but on other people as well.

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