'Ax Men' star Gabe Rygaard dies in Port Angeles crash

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- Reality star and former Clallam Commissioner candidate, Gabe Rygaard, died Friday morning in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Port Angeles. Rygaard was 45 years old.

According to Washington State Police, Rygaard was traveling on Highway 101 shortly before 9:30 a.m. when a Chevrolet Tahoe in front of him stop. Authorities say Rygaard veered left to avoid the SUV but struck it anyway. Rygaard's Bronco then spun into oncoming traffic hitting a third vehicle.

Rygaard was not wearing a seatbelt.

Three out of the six other people involved in the crash were treated for minor injuries.

WSP say the road was closed for 5 hours and 37 minutes. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.



Rygaard is a star of the History Channel show "Ax Men." Rygaard was part of his family-owned business, Rygaard Logging.

"Ax Men" followed several logging crews along the Pacific coast. The show was canceled earlier this year just before Rygaard announced his intention to run as Republican for the Clallam County District 2 commissioner.