Clark County Medical Examiner’s office identifies victims as 14-year-old Taylor Crepeau and 17-year-old Andrew Friedt, both of Vancouver
VANCOUVER — The victims in Tuesday morning’s car v. pedestrian double-fatal accident were identified Wednesday by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office as 14-year-old Taylor Crepeau and 17-year-old Andrew Friedt, both of Vancouver.
Crepeau was an 8th-grader at Wy’East Middle School according to the Evergreen School District. Principal Kate DeWein sent a letter to parents this morning, saying grief counselors are on hand at the school this week to help students cope.
“These specialized counselors will remain at our school to assist us as long as we need to we work through this grieving process,” wrote DeWein. “As adults, it is difficult to understand the death of a child. For our students, it is even more challenging for them to understand.”
DeWein also said the school is supporting Taylor’s family, and will pass along any information they wish to share with the community.
Friedt previously attended Mountain View High School, but had not been enrolled for this school year. From a social media post made by his mother, it appears today would have been Freidt’s 18th birthday. The family has not made any public statements following the deaths.
The initial investigation shows both teens were wearing dark clothing when they stepped off of a curb along NE 112th Avenue, somewhere between 20th and 23rd Streets, shortly after 6:30 a.m. While there is street lighting in the area, the spot where they were hit had no crosswalk and was not well-lit.
The driver of a green Chevy pickup told police he didn’t see the teens in time to brake before impact.
Chris, a neighbor who works with the driver, told FOX 12 News the 19-year old was on his way to work along their usual route when the accident happened.
“He described them as just shadows,” he said. “He just saw shadows and then it happened. I don’t think he even had time to step on the brakes. It was so, so sudden.”
Chris said they drive the same route every day, and almost never see anyone out walking at that hour.
“He’s just a great kid. He’s so full of laughter, which I didn’t see in him and I don’t know if I will for a long time after this.”
Police said the driver, whose name hasn’t been released, did not appeared to be impaired at the time of the accident.
Several blocks of NE 112th Avenue were closed for hours following the accident while police crime scene investigators reconstructed the incident.
Anyone with information, who has not spoken to, or been in contact with police, is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Traffic Unit.
The family has a fundraiser on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donate/2855763217808564/?fundraiser_source=external_url
