Six Injured, Two Airlifted to Harborview in Two-Vehicle Crash at Bow Hill Road and Ershig Road

Skagit County, WA – The Washington State Patrol and multiple other local first responders were toned out to a high-risk motor vehicle collision around 1:47 p.m. at the intersection of Bow Hill Road and Ershig Road in Skagit County.

According to a press release from the Washington State Patrol, 17-year-old Baltazar Gallardo Santiago of Mount Vernon, Washington, was traveling Northbound on Ershig Road, approaching Bow Hill Road in a red 2007 Jeep Liberty with four passengers in his vehicle.  Troopers say Gallardo Santiago failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Ershig Road and Bow Hill Road and drove in front of a westbound 2011 Chevy Equinox, being driven by 72-year-old Mark Bluhm of Mount Vernon.  The equinox struck the Jeep Liberty in the intersection and the force of the crash caused the Jeep Liberty to roll over, where it struck a light pole and came to a stop. The Equinox came to rest off the roadway.  Mr. Bluhm was injured in the crash and transported to United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley for treatment. Troopers say he was wearing a seatbelt.

Troopers say Gallardo Santiago was wearing a seat belt and was injured and transported to Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon for treatment.  A female passenger in the Jeep Liberty, only identified as “Jane Doe”, in the press release, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with injuries. Troopers say she was not wearing a seatbelt.  19-year-old Paulina Garcia Pacheco, a passenger in the Jeep Liberty was also airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with injuries. Troopers say she was not wearing a seatbelt.  Alejandrino Garcia, a passenger in the Jeep Liberty, was injured and treated at the scene and released. Troopers did not identify his age or hometown. Troopers say he was not wearing a seatbelt.  17-year-old Cecelia Gonzales Hernandez, a passenger in the Jeep Liberty, was injured and transported to Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon with injuries. Troopers say she was wearing a seatbelt but did not list her hometown.

The cause of the collision is listed as “Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign. Troopers say drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

Both vehicles were totaled in the crash. The Jeep Liberty was impounded for safe keeping by Carl’s Towing of Burlington. The Chevy Equinox was impounded for safe keeping by Joe’s Towing.

 

Washington State Patrol Case 22-015086