The Washington State Patrol reported that an Eastern Washington man was confirmed dead at Harbor Regional Health in Aberdeen on Monday evening after driving into the river near Copalis Beach.

Dennis A. Faulk, 64, Grandview, was pronounced dead after transport; next of kin have been notified, according to the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office.

Faulk was driving south on the beach near the Roosevelt Beach approach, according to a WSP incident report, when he drove into the river and became trapped.

Led by the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, multiple agencies responded, said Trooper Josh Magerstaedt, including the Coast Guard and Ocean Shores Fire Department.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was able to extract Faulk from the vehicle before he was transported by OSFD, Magerstaedt said. Faulk was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death is being investigated, Magerstaedt said. Foul play is not suspected. The presence of drugs or alcohol as a contributing factor is unknown, Magerstaedt said, until an autopsy and toxicology test can be performed, which takes weeks.

There is no evidence of anyone else on scene, Magerstaedt said.

The vehicle, a 2020 Chevy SUV, is still submerged, Magerstaedt said; efforts to recover it are underway.

Care while driving on the beach is imperative, Magerstaedt said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.