Driver loses control, tips his truck

A 59-year-old man sustained minor injuries following a rollover accident north of Freeland Sunday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Tracy Hatch of Shoreline was driving northbound along State Highway 525 south of Island Recycling, near the East Bush Point Road intersection, when he lost control of his vehicle, Trooper Heather Axtman said.

The vehicle, a large box truck, swerved into the southbound lane and came to rest in the ditch, blocking part of the highway, said Jon Gabelein, Public Information Officer for South Whidbey Fire/EMS.

The incident happened around 12:38 p.m. and the highway was closed for 45 minutes, Gabelein said. For a few hours after that, one lane of the highway remained closed.

“Luckily, no other cars were involved,” he said.

Axtman said Hatch was transported to WhidbeyHealth Medical Center for a possible broken wrist.

Gabelein credits the seat belt for saving the driver from further injury.

At this time, the cause of the accident is still unknown, according to Axtman.