PORT TOWNSEND — A 75-year-old Port Townsend man was killed Monday morning when the truck he was driving at a high rate of speed left the road and landed in a group of trees.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Denney said the truck, a red 1999 Toyota Tacoma, was heading eastbound on Four Corners Road when the driver lost control, crossed the center line and landed on the westbound side of the road.
No other vehicles were involved in the wreck and there was just one passenger, Denney said.
Airlift canceled
An airlift was called but canceled after deputies discovered the man was deceased, Denney said.
The road was closed both ways for about 20 minutes and reopened at 3 p.m. to two-way traffic.
The truck was towed to the sheriff’s office in Port Hadlock while the deceased was taken to Kosec’s Funeral Home in Port Townsend where an autopsy is scheduled to be performed later this week, Denney said.
Cause undetermined
At that time, the driver will receive a toxicology screen and the cause of death — whether he had a medical incident that caused the accident — will be determined.
The victim was not identified pending notification of next of kin.
Denney said the truck was travelling at “an extreme rate of speed” above the 40 mph limit.
Denney could not speculate about the speed but said the car “went airborne.”
The investigation is continuing with more information expected Wednesday or Thursday, Denney said.
