A 61-year-old Napavine man died Wednesday afternoon after his SUV crossed the center line and struck a semi-truck traveling in the opposite direction on U.S. Highway 12, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol.
The man, whose name was withheld pending identification, was driving east near Silver Creek in a 2004 Saturn Vue at about 4:44 p.m. Nov. 19 when his car entered the westbound lane.
The driver of the truck, Gregory J. Coffer, 38, of Centralia, was traveling westbound. He was reportedly uninjured in the incident and was wearing a seatbelt.
The unnamed driver was announced dead at the scene. The state patrol did not specify whether or not he was wearing a seatbelt. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Both vehicles were considered totaled.
According to the state patrol, both directions of Highway 12 were shut down at milepost 80 near Silver Creek for about six hours following the collision and initial response.
Just before midnight, the state patrol announced the highway had reopened in both directions.
