Local

Kent teen killed in suspected DUI crash near Greenwater

GREENWATER, Wash. — Investigators say a teenage driver is being investigated for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault after he slammed his car into a tree after leaving a bonfire near Greenwater, killing a passenger and badly hurting himself and three others.

The Washington State Patrol says the crash happened on Highway 410 about 20 miles east of Enumclaw after 2:30 a.m. Sunday when 18-year-old Bryson Stubbles lost control of the 1990 Honda Accord, went over an embankment and hit a tree.

Investigators say his front seat passenger, 18-year-old Paco Frees of Kent, died instantly in the crash.

The oldest person of the five who were in the car is 20; the youngest is 16.

Stubbles and a 16-year-old girl were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. The other survivors were taken to local hospitals.

Investigators say they believe Stubbles was impaired.

Locals say the stretch of road is known for being dangerous.

Longtime friends Justin Vena and Cole Watson stood in the heart of Greenwater.

"Highway hypnosis, that sort of thing goes on," said Vena.

They hadn't heard about the tragedy.  But they say this road can be difficult to navigate no matter the weather.

"I mean this road, you have long sections for like a mile at a time and it's straight," said Watson.  "And there's no rumble strips or anything on the side of the road."

"Yeah, it's a dangerous road," agreed Vena. "There's a lot of accidents on a consistent basis."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.