by Lin McNulty

A Medic Unit, a WASP Engine, and a Rescue Unit from the Eastsound Fire Station responded at 8:16 this morning to a reported single car accident on Olga Road, north of Eagle Ridge.

The call for help was made by a county mowing crew who had to relay through Island Excavating due to poor radio and cell phone reception. Actual location was off the 1200 block of Olga Road in a private yard.

A male, over 60, was found thrown from the vehicle and deceased at the scene. The late model car had left the roadway and clipped more than one tree before coming to rest on its top down a ten-foot embankment.  Although units on the scene had called for Airlift to be put on standby based on the call description, the request was canceled within minutes.

The incident commander also requested a tow truck be expedited to the scene to ensure that no other occupants were trapped in the vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and began an investigation while Orcas Fire & Rescue Units provided traffic control.  A total of twelve OIF&R members responded.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office remain on the scene, with no further information available at this time.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

The operator of the vehicle has been identified by San Juan County Sheriff’s Department as Victor A. Boede, 53.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Boede had been driving north on Olga Rd toward Eastsound when he failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the oncoming lane and left the roadway, going over an embankment, striking several trees, and rolling over. He was ejected from the vehicle, a 2010 Dodge Challenger.

Boede was not wearing safety belts. It is believed that crash occurred about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, but went undiscovered through the night. Speed is believed to be a contributing factor in this crash. No one else was in the vehicle.

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