Pe Ell Man Killed After Driver Swerves to Avoid Deer

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A 44-year-old Pe Ell man died late Saturday night after a teen driver swerved to avoid a deer and crashed into his vehicle, according to the Washington State Patrol. 

Eric C. Campbell was traveling east on state Route 6 at mile marker 26 west of Pe Ell at about 11:26 p.m. in a 1988 Volkswagen. A 17-year-old Raymond resident was traveling west at the same location in a 2018 Hyundai Elantra when he swerved to avoid the deer and struck Campbell’s vehicle. 



Campbell died at the scene, according to the state patrol. A passenger in his vehicle — Cecelia J. Wiltse, 50, of Pe Ell — was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with injuries. The teen from Raymond was not injured. 

The state patrol listed the cause of the crash as crossing the center line. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to have been a factor. All involved in the crash were wearing seat belts.