Brant Christianson, a North Whidbey resident, father of two and nurse at Oak Harbor Naval Hospital, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Highway 20 in Skagit County Sunday afternoon.
The State Patrol reported that the 41-year-old Christianson was driving a 2003 BMW motorcycle southbound on the highway.
Just ahead of Christianson, Jennifer Roberts, 28, of Oak Harbor was driving a 2004 Dodge Ram southbound and stopped for traffic at Deception Road, which is a few miles from Deception Pass bridge.
Christianson failed to stop in time, laid down the motorcycle and slid into Roberts’ Dodge Ram. He was ejected into the northbound lane. He was struck and killed by a northbound 2004 Dodge Ram driven by 38-year-old Bret Reiswig of Oak Harbor.
Reiswig’s pickup left the roadway into the ditch and struck a culvert.
Christianson was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident was reported at 1:27 p.m.
The other two drivers were not injured. The motorcycle sustained $3,000 in damages and Reiswig’s Dodge Ram was totalled.
Traffic was detoured around the accident scene for two and a half hours while troopers investigated.
The accident is still under investigation, but the State Patrol reported that no charges will be filed.
Christianson and his family — wife Marilyn and their two daughters — returned to Whidbey Island earlier this year after being away for two years. In 1998, Christianson received his commission as an ensign in the Navy and went to work as a nurse at Oak Harbor Naval Hospital, but the family was transferred to San Diego in 2004.
Christianson was an active and unique member of the Oak Harbor community, as well as a family man. He was a martial arts instructor and a black belt in Uechi, which is the Okinawan style of karate. He even opened his own dojo in Oak Harbor.
For five years, Christianson and his family lived aboard a sailboat in order to simplify their lives.
Christianson was raised in Benton City and enlisted in the Navy in 1984.
A memorial service for Brant will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Whidbey Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor.
Family and friends have suggested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to an educational fund established for his daughters Jennifer and Alicia at Whidbey Island Bank. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
A full obituary is on page A8.
