Deputy Sheriff Joe Pursley responded to a vehicle accident that was on fire in the 300 block of Washington Street in Sekiu, Washington at around 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15.
Jerry Anderson, 70, of Sekiu, was found slumped over the steering wheel of the car that was in a ditch by passerby Norman Dale, 71, of Clallam Bay. The car was beginning to catch fire and Dale, with the help of other passersby, pulled Anderson out of the car. Medics arrived and unsuccessfully attempted to revive Anderson.
Firefighters quickly put the fire out before it spread into the foliage on the bank where the car came to rest. Anderson did not suffer any traumatic injuries from the collision and was removed from the car before the passenger compartment was engulfed in flames. There was minimal impact damage to the vehicle and the collision evidence indicated the car left the roadway traveling at less than 20 miles per hour.
The heat of the engine sitting on dry grass in the ditch was likely what caused the fire to ignite. The fire spread under the front driver’s side engine compartment and backwards into the rest of the car. The interior of the car was completely gutted by the fire.
According to Anderson’s family and physician, Anderson had a history of heart and lung problems that he was being treated for. It was likely that Anderson had a medical emergency while driving which will likely be determined through the ongoing investigation.
