Driver identified in crash that seriously injured teen

Clark County sheriff’s deputies have identified a driver suspected of causing a crash that seriously injured a pedestrian Sunday evening near Columbia River High School in Hazel Dell.

Chancellor Pruett, 18, of Vancouver was driving a 2006 black Mazda 4-door westbound on Northwest 99th Street faster than the posted 35 mph speed limit, according to a memo issued by the sheriff’s office.

At about 6:20 p.m., Pruett passed a vehicle, using the right-turn-only lane in the 900 block of the street, near Columbia River High School, according to the memo. The Mazda then cut back into the westbound lane, crashing into an eastbound 1997 Silver BMW that was turning into a driveway, the sheriff’s office reported.

After the two cars collided, the sheriff’s office said, the Mazda careered into a juvenile male walking on the sidewalk on the north side of the street.

The pedestrian, a 17-year-old Vancouver resident, was seriously injured and taken to an area hospital. His name was not released by the sheriff’s office, and authorities did not know his condition.

The driver of the BMW, Derek Gear, 42, of Vancouver, sustained injuries described as not life-threatening and was taken to an area hospital.

Passengers in the two vehicles were not injured.

Investigators said that speed and reckless driving are suspected causes of the crash. There have been no citations issued or arrests made, according to the sheriff’s office, but the agency’s traffic detectives are continuing their investigation.