La Center teen identified in Hockinson fatality

A 17-year-old boy killed in a single-vehicle crash south of Hockinson early Friday morning has been identified as Adam C. Karlsen of La Center. The cause of death was blunt head trauma, according to a report released Saturday by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Deputies responded to the crash, which was reported just before 3 a.m. at Ward Road near Northeast Davis Road.

Investigators say that a full-size Chevrolet Express van was traveling north on Ward Road when it left the roadway, rolled and crashed, Clark County Sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Neiman said.

Karlsen, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected and found dead at the scene, Neiman said.

Neiman said that Karlsen did not appear to have been wearing a seat belt.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

“There were no witnesses, so we don’t know if the car was speeding, don’t know if he fell asleep,” Neiman said. Detectives will examine the vehicle, assess the scene and review autopsy and toxicology reports, Neiman said; such steps are all standard components of a traffic investigation.