Whatcom County, WA – The Washington State Patrol responded to a 3-vehicle, fatal crash on State Route 543 at Boblett Street near the Blaine City limits around 6:41 pm on January 13th, 2017.
According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, 32-year old Manjinder Singh of Surrey, BC was traveling Southbound on SR543 in a 2016 Volvo Semi Truck when he failed to stop for two vehicles who had stopped ahead of him at Boblett Road. The semi truck slammed into the back of a 2003 Toyota Tacoma, driven by 40-year old Christian Villegas of Surrey, BC. Mr. Villegas vehicle was then pushed into a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by 34-year old James Vandekamp of Ferndale.
Mr. Villegas, the driver of the Toyota Tacoma was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham where he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
WSDOT Cam Photo
A passenger in the semi truck, 35-year old Pombra Ankur, of Surrey, BC was not injured.
The driver of the Tahoe, James Vandekamp as well as a 15-year old male passenger from Ferndale, were both injured and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment. Three other passengers in the Tahoe, 32-year old Shannon Vandekamp and two children under 3-years of age were not injured in the crash.
WSDOT Traffic Cam
The causing semi truck was towed by Johnsons Towing. The Tahoe was towed privately and the Toyota Tacoma was impounded by ASAP Towing for safe keeping.
Drugs or alcohol are not suspected in the crash.
The Cause of the crash is listed as failure to yield right of way, and charges against the causing driver are under investigation.
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