WSP: Both drivers contributed in some way to fatal US12 snowplow vs car crash

Both drivers contributed in some way to a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 12 near Montesano in March 2018, according a recently completed accident report by the Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team.

The crash occurred around 2:43 a.m. March 4, when a Department of Transportation snowplow attempted to make a U-turn from the right-hand, westbound lane of Highway 12 into the eastbound lanes just west of the Devonshire Road overpass in Montesano, according to the report. A 1991 Acura Integra driven by Michael William Crow, 37, of Aberdeen, was traveling westbound and struck the rear driver’s side of the plow, driven by Michael Lunceford, 51, of Montesano.

Crow and passenger Michelle Ann Sorensen, then 39, of Aberdeen, were killed. Two passengers in the car, an Aberdeen woman and a Hoquiam man, were injured. Lunceford was not injured.

“The Major Accident Investigation Team determined the proximate cause of this collision was a result of decisions made by both Lunceford and Crow,” read the report, which was signed by State Patrol Sgt. Jason D. Krauss, investigation supervisor.

Investigators were told by family members that both Sorensen and Crow had checked into a Chehalis rehabilitation facility March 2 and were expected to travel to Spokane for their next phase of treatment; Sorensen’s family told investigators she had battled heroin and marijuana issues for many years. Family members told investigators both Sorensen and Crow checked out of rehabilitation the evening of March 3, just hours before the crash.

The investigation concluded that at the time of collision, Crow was driving his vehicle westbound between 73 and 77 mph in the 60 mph zone “while under the influence of impairing drugs,” according to the report. Blood drawn from Crow showed the presence of morphine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and two other substances, all of which “have been found to cause impairment,” said the report. Neither Crow nor Sorensen were wearing seat belts at the time, added the report.

Lunceford, a contract Department of Transportation driver who had been called to salt the roads as temperatures approached freezing, had just merged onto the highway from the Devonshire overpass “with all necessary warning lights and exterior lights activated” when he attempted the U-turn into the eastbound lanes, according to the report. After the crash, blood given voluntarily by Lunceford tested negative for drugs or alcohol.

Crow attempted to brake, skidding more than 80 feet before striking the snowplow at more than 60 mph, according to the report, traveling another 18 feet after impact, rotating counter-clockwise and coming to rest facing south, blocking both westbound lanes. The plow was pushed 6 feet laterally before coming to rest facing east, blocking both eastbound lanes.

State Patrol analysis concluded that, based on the speeds of both the snowplow and passenger vehicle, “Had the Integra been traveling 60 mph and all other factors remained, this collision would not have occurred.”

The report also found that Lunceford “initiated his U-turn in a manner which caused Crow to react and attempt avoidance.” State law (RCW 46.61.295 as referenced in the report) states, “The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.”

The report stated the “proximate cause of this collision was Lunceford’s failure to yield to approaching traffic as he attempted to complete a U-turn while depositing salt onto the roadway, in conjunction with Crow operating his motor vehicle above the posted speed limit while impaired by a combination of intoxicating drugs.”

When asked to comment, Department of Transportation Olympic Region communications manager Claudia Bingham Baker said that a claim has been filed against the agency in relation to the incident so the agency is unable to comment at this time.