Traffic detectives are investigating what caused a single-vehicle crash near Battle Ground early Tuesday morning that resulted in serious injuries.
The preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle was traveling east on Northeast 259th Street and failed to stop at a stop sign at 72nd Avenue just before 6 a.m., according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle crashed into a bank on the east side of 72nd Avenue, the sheriff’s office reported.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle — Gerina Hatch, 35, of Battle Ground — was pinned in the car and had to be extricated by firefighters through the vehicle’s roof, the sheriff’s office said.
“When we arrived, we found a severely impacted vehicle that appeared to have rolled and landed on its wheel in the ditch … the top of the car had completely collapsed onto the driver,” Clark County Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Dawdy said. “Fortunately, it appeared that the driver had been wearing their seat belt.”
Hatch was taken to an area hospital, where she was listed in serious condition, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday.
“This is one of those cases that really showed the value of a seat belt. … It really contributed to the survival of the patient,” Dawdy said.
Detectives with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit are investigating the crash.
