An Oak Harbor man faces a vehicular homicide charge after driving impaired in Skagit County and causing a head-on crash that killed a 20-year-old Arlington woman, according to the Washington State Patrol.
A State Patrol memo on the collision reported that 56-year-old McArthur Jackson of Oak Harbor was driving south in a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup on State Route 9 near Bassett Road when he crossed over the center line and struck an oncoming 2020 Jeep Compass SUV, which was driven by Ashlyn R. Stroud of Arlington.
Jackson’s pickup came to rest in the northbound lanes while the Jeep landed off the roadway. Both vehicles were totaled and towed away as evidence in a criminal case.
Stroud was transported to Skagit Valley Hospital and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she was later pronounced dead.
Jackson was also injured and transported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett.
The State Patrol reported that Jackson was suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the crash. A trooper said his injuries likely prevented him from being booked into jail immediately.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.