A Kelso-area high school senior was killed Saturday when an SUV rolled and pinned him underneath on a rural private lane, authorities said. Three other teenagers inside the vehicle were hurt and driven to a nearby hospital in private cars. Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said they believe alcohol played a role in the crash and reported that the driver is cooperating with investigators.
According to KPTV, deputies arrived on Maranatha Road, a private road off Rose Valley Road in Kelso, and found a Toyota 4Runner on its side with the vehicle resting on top of one passenger. The outlet identified the victim as 18-year-old Ethan Ragsdale, a senior at Mark Morris High School, and reported that he was not wearing a seat belt when the SUV rolled. Ragsdale’s family was notified at the scene.
As reported by Atlanta News First, the sheriff’s office identified the driver as 19-year-old Jacob Manecke Jr. of Kelso and said he is cooperating with investigators.
Seat belts and impaired driving remain top concerns
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has singled out Cowlitz County for targeted seat belt enforcement and warns that not buckling up and driving while impaired remain leading factors in fatal crashes. WTSC data and releases show unrestrained-occupant deaths and alcohol-related collisions are continuing priorities statewide, which is why drivers periodically see high-visibility patrols and public outreach campaigns aimed at getting people to slow down, sober up and strap in.
Legal next steps
Deputies told Atlanta News First they will forward their completed investigation to the prosecuting attorney’s office, which will determine whether criminal charges are filed. So far, the sheriff’s office has not announced any charges in connection with the crash, and investigators have not released additional details.
