Cigarette blamed for crash
June 25, 2008 · Updated 12:18 PM
"Photo: A Clinton man escaped this car vs. pole wreck Monday without suffering major injuries.Matt Johnson / staff photoA 19-year-old Clinton man escaped serious injury Monday afternoon when a dropped cigarette caused him to crash his car into a power pole.According to the Island County Sheriff's Office, Rick Hill, Jr. had just turned onto westbound Swede Hill Road from Blakely Avenue at about 1 p.m. when he dropped a lit cigarette into his lap. Distracted by the cigarette, Hill lost control of his four-door sedan on a downhill curve and struck a power pole with the right front corner of the car. Hill, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, suffered some neck and shoulder injuries in the crash. His car was a total loss. Two passersby gave Hill a ride to his Britzman Loop home after the crash. He was later transported to Whidbey General Hospital for treatment. "
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