Westport, Washington – Two People Hospitalized Following DUI Crash at State Route 105

Westport, Washington (January 31, 2020) – Two people were hospitalized after their vehicle crashed into a tree on the shoulder of State Route 105 just after midnight on Friday. According to the report from KXRO News Radio, the driver and the passenger were taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital for treatment of their injuries. No other vehicles appear to be involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported.

According tot he article, the man was driving on State Route 105 when he crossed the center line, and the vehicle eventually struck a tree on the shoulder of the road. The driver was reported to be under the influence at the time of the accident, and he will be facing DUI charges.

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, utility poles, and similar to this case, trees. 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.

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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