Man killed in one-car accident | Update

By RAECHEL DAWSON
Kirkland Reporter Reporter
August 28, 2012 · 4:44 PM

Todd Bekins, a 44-year-old man from Vancouver, Wash., died in a one-car accident Friday afternoon on I-405 at exit 18 in Kirkland.

Washington State Patrol trooper Julie Judson said Bekins was traveling northbound in the exit lane when witnesses saw his Chevy Blazer “suddenly drive off the roadway and hit the pole of the exit sign.”

The Blazer caught fire and was “completely engulfed in flames” soon after.

Other commuters pulled the man out and performed CPR, said Judson. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, Judson said.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said Bekins died from internal injuries.

The collision occurred around 2:20 p.m. and traffic stayed backed up into Friday evening.

Contact Kirkland Reporter Reporter Raechel Dawson at rdawson@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166 X5052.

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