This fatal crash occurred at 1:16 a.m. Sunday on eastbound Highway 14 just east of Columbia House Boulevard when a wrong-way driver heading west in the eastbound lanes struck another vehicle head-on, according to a Washington State Patrol Bulletin. (WSP Trooper Will Finn)Photo Gallery
The survivor of a two-vehicle, triple fatal collision on state Highway 14 in Vancouver early Sunday remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
As of Monday afternoon, Christopher L. Kopf, 33, of Vancouver was listed in critical condition, according to a PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center spokesperson.
The friends and families of those who died in the crash are mourning and left wondering what happened.
The crash occurred at 1:16 a.m. on eastbound Highway 14 just east of Columbia House Boulevard when a wrong-way driver heading west in the eastbound lanes struck another vehicle head-on, according to a Washington State Patrol bulletin.
The WSP said Aaron C. Dohman, 33, of Vancouver was driving a 2007 Nissan Altima west in the eastbound lanes when his car crashed head-on into a 2004 Buick Rendezvous driven by Edgar G. Acosta, 35, of Vancouver.
Trooper Will Finn said investigators are still trying to determine where Dohman’s car entered the freeway.
Acosta was pronounced dead at the scene, as was a passenger in Dohman’s car, Michelle M. Henriksbo, 47, of Vancouver, according to the WSP. Dohman was injured and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest, as was Kopf, a passenger in Dohman’s car.
Dohman died Sunday evening, according to the hospital.
The WSP said drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash and, earlier, that charges were pending against Dohman.
Erin Martuscelli said she was a neighbor of Henriksbo for nine years before she moved to Texas several months ago. They were the best of friends, Martuscelli said.
“She was always like a sister to me,” Martuscelli said.
Henriksbo was known to selflessly help people. The mother of three, who had worked as a local realtor, expected nothing in return, her friend said. She was also the sole caretaker or her mother and grandmother. Henriksbo recently became a grandmother, too, she said.
Martuscelli said Henriksbo would often take an Uber or Lyft after a night out. She was “very conscientious about being safe,” she said.
Ramona Locken, another friend of Henriksbo’s, said the two saw each other at Main Event East on the night of the crash. Locken said her friend looked gorgeous and was simply happy to be out.
“She talked about being blessed to be in a position to take care of her family, and she said he was looking forward to going out,” Locken said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for funeral expenses and continued care for Henriksbo’s family.
Acosta’s wife told KATU News through Facebook, “He was a amazing husband, father, friend, man! I don’t know how we are going to continue without him but thanks to a drunk driver we don’t have a choice! He was a hardworking man and (people) saw his greatness.”
Acosta was the father of three children, according to a GoFundMe account set up by the family.
***
Correction: This post originally misspelled Michelle M. Henriksbo’s name.
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
