Passenger dies after off-roading SUV falls on top of him

A Thurston County man is dead after a Jeep Cherokee he was riding in fell on top of him Saturday.

According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred during an off-road excursion.

Four people were in the Jeep at the time of the accident.

Authorities said that when the Jeep got stuck in a deep puddle, the driver hit the gas, causing the SUV to hit a stump.

The Jeep rolled onto the man after hitting the stump. The man died on-scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The driver of the car flagged down a passing vehicle to call 911.

Authorities said the Jeep’s driver had minor injuries. Another woman in the Jeep had broken bones. Another passenger reported minor injuries.

All four occupants were younger than 31 years of age and were Thurston County locals, the Sheriff’s Office said. The driver is being investigated for DUI homicide.

Cox Media Group