A Thursday morning drive along State Route 109 ended in tragedy when a vehicle crashed into a tree near Copalis Beach, killing the driver and temporarily shutting down the coastal highway around milepost 21. Washington State Patrol troopers rushed to the scene, and an agency photo showed a cruiser blocking the roadway near the Green Lantern Pub. The route was reported back open shortly after 8 a.m.
WSP alerts
According to FOX 13 Seattle, WSP Trooper Katherine Weatherwax posted an initial alert at 7:33 a.m. stating that SR-109 at milepost 21 was fully blocked after a vehicle struck a tree and the driver died. The message, shared on social media, included a brief note of sympathy: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic incident,” FOX 13 reported.
Where it happened
State Route 109 is a narrow, scenic highway that hugs the Grays Harbor shoreline and connects small beach communities such as Copalis Beach. The route might look like a relaxed coastal drive, but it comes with some fine print. Portions of SR-109 face ongoing construction, weather-related hazards and limited shoulders, conditions that can turn a single crash into a lengthy closure, according to WSDOT. Those same constraints can make clearing wrecks and restoring traffic slower than on wider inland highways, the agency notes.
Traffic update
FOX 13 Seattle reported that the Washington State Patrol announced the roadway had reopened at 8:08 a.m., roughly 35 minutes after the first alert about the fatal crash. Troopers did not immediately release the driver’s name or determine a cause, and investigators typically share those details only after they are confirmed. Anyone with information about what happened was asked to contact the Washington State Patrol, according to FOX 13.
How to stay updated
For anyone planning a coastal run, transportation officials recommend checking the WSDOT travel map or the State Patrol’s social channels for real-time updates. Drivers are also reminded that SR-109’s narrow shoulders and quick-changing coastal weather can create sudden slowdowns, and local authorities urge motorists to ease off the gas and stay off their phones along this stretch.
