Editor’s Note: Authorities originally referred to the deceased driver as an adult male but later clarified he was 17 years old.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 17-year-old driver was killed Friday evening in a head-on collision in Northeast Vancouver.
The Vancouver Fire Department said the collision at NE 72nd Avenue and NE 159th Street around 5 p.m. involved a Mercedes sedan and a Ford van. Firefighters said emergency responders worked for 20 minutes to extricate the Mercedes driver but he died at the scene. The other driver — a 27-year-old Battle Ground resident — was taken to a hospital but is expected to survive.
The teen’s name is not being released.
Investigators said the Mercedes was traveling south on NE 72nd Avenue when it drifted across the centerline and into the path of the van.
“I have a 17-year-old son,” said Sgt. Alex Schoening with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking for us, but obviously there are no words for the family. It’s just a tragedy all-round.”
NE 72nd Avenue was closed between NE 139th and NE 159th streets for hours. It reopened just before 10 p.m.
