Driver tears through Washougal swimming hole, kills 2

Two people died Tuesday after a Jeep tore through a Washougal swimming hole, striking them as they lay on the beach.

A Jeep with damage to the front end was located a few hours later, and a man was being held for questioning, according to Washougal police.

Shortly before 5 p.m., a red or maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee drove through a chain-link fence on the west side of Sandy Swimming Hole Park, 550 N. Shepherd Road, according to a Washougal Police Department news release. The car continued down to the beach and struck a man and woman who were lying down.

The Jeep exited the park on the east side by driving up a berm and through a park sign, according to the release. Witnesses reported that the Jeep did not slow down while in the park. It was last seen headed east on Shepherd Road away from the park and located by police later Tuesday night.

The man and woman were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but both soon died of their injuries, according to the release. Authorities have yet to identify them, citing a need to notify next of kin.

It is not known if the Jeep driver knew the man and woman, according to the release.

The Jeep has extensive front-end damage and is missing the front grill, the release says. The driver was described as a white male with brown, thinning hair and between ages 40 and 50. A person has been detained for questioning, but had not been arrested, police said in an update issued shortly after 10 p.m.

Washougal police and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit are investigating the crash. Anyone with additional information is asked to call 911.