2 killed in Whatcom County crash when pickup swerves into oncoming traffic to avoid deer

BELLINGHAM -- Two people were killed in a 2-truck crash early Tuesday morning on State Route 9 in Whatcom County when a driver swerved to avoid a deer on a foggy road, Washington State Patrol troopers said.

According to Mark Francis of the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred on SR 9 near Milepost 76 in Everson.

The State Patrol said a Ford pickup that was traveling northbound crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound Toyota pickup truck.

Killed were the driver of the Toyota pickup, a 56-year-old man from Glacier identified as Ricky Hamilton, and his 50-year-old male passenger, Robert Demme, of Maple Falls.

The two people in the Ford were not injured, the State Patrol said.

Cause of the crash was under investigation.



According to Francis, the causing vehicle swerved left to avoid hitting a deer. The driver crossed the center line and hit a pickup truck.

Drugs and alcohol were determined not to be a factor in the crash, Francis said.