A man who was allegedly driving approximately 70 mph over the speed limit crashed a stolen car early Wednesday morning, Feb. 23., in the eastern side of Hoquiam, authorities said.
Before the driver and the car ended up in Hoquiam River — just past where Sumner Avenue turns into Riverside Avenue — he drove through the Grays Harbor Farmer’s Market, Franko’s Farm Stand and the city of Hoquiam Boardwalk. The car, which was found in the river, was recovered.
The driver wasn’t injured, according to Hoquiam Police Deputy Chief Joe Strong.
“He was not injured, just a little wet,” Strong said in an email to The Daily World.
A witness told 911 dispatchers that they spotted a 28-year-old South Bend man, who was driving a 2008 Honda sedan, pass them at a speed above 100 mph down Sumner Avenue — where traffic only flows westbound — before the man crashed, according to a Hoquiam Police Department social media post.
The speed limit at that point on Sumner Avenue, is 30 mph, Strong said. The penalty for driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit is $188, according to Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
The collision scene, the post states, covered more than 280 feet — which is 20 feet less than a football field’s length from goal line to goal line. Strong wrote in an email to The Daily World on Wednesday afternoon that there were signs from the crash that indicated to officers the witness’ speed approximation was right.
“There are signs of excessive speeds due to the length — over 280 feet — of (the) scene,” Strong wrote in an email to The Daily World. “A speed analysis was not done due to too many varying dynamics.”
The damage to everything involved, which includes the two businesses, the boardwalk and the roadway, is being evaluated, Strong said.
Hoquiam Police officers were sent to the scene of the crash at 5:26 a.m., on Wednesday. No one was inside. But, the witness told the officers they saw the driver, who was alone, get out of the car and run northbound on Riverside Avenue.
Sumner Avenue becomes Riverside Avenue at 20th Street in Hoquiam.
The witness also directed officers to the Honda driver’s location — near the intersection of 16th Street and B Street — where the man was taken into custody with probable cause for allegedly driving under the influence. Police found him at 5:42 a.m., Strong said.
The DUI is currently under investigation. The man was booked into the Hoquiam City Jail pending further investigation. Hoquiam police filed a search warrant for a legal blood draw, which is pending court approval.
The man, who hasn’t yet been charged, exhibited signs of alcohol intoxication, Strong said.
The damage to the arterial road that helps connect Aberdeen and Hoquiam, Franko’s Farm Stand and the boardwalk is being evaluated, according to Hoquiam Police.
The vehicle was totaled in the crash. The Department of Ecology was notified about a potential minor fluid spill into Hoquiam River.
About two hours after Hoquiam police were sent to the scene of the crash, Aberdeen police officers were called to a residence because of a theft of a 2008 Honda sedan that reportedly happened sometime during the overnight hours between Tuesday, Feb. 22, and Wednesday.
The 2008 Honda sedan that was reported stolen from Aberdeen has since been confirmed to be the one involved in the crash, Strong said.
