Medical issue caused rollover crash, police say

A 65-year-old woman suffered only minor injuries in a dramatic rollover crash on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor Saturday afternoon.

Surveillance video of the incident has been on Seattle TV and is posted on social media.

It shows a dark-colored SUV speeding behind another vehicle near the intersection of Southeast Pioneer Way and Dock Street. The SUV veers onto the sidewalk, crashes through a fence and rolls down a drop-off to a parking lot, landing on its roof.

The woman’s vehicle struck and damaged a bronze statue of a Native American man that was on the sidewalk. The city is still in the process of assessing the damage and needed repairs, according to City Administrator Blaine Oborn.

Oak Harbor Police Chief Kevin Dresker said the woman has no memory of the accident, which was likely caused by a medical issue. There was no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.

“It’s fortunate that no people and no other vehicles were down below,” Dresker said.

Witnesses helped the woman out of her vehicle, and she was standing when police arrived, he said. Paramedics transported her to the hospital, he said.

Dresker said the police reported the accident to the state Department of Licensing so that officials there can decide if the woman’s license should be restricted. He said police are evaluating whether she will receive a citation.