SELAH, Wash. – The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to be cautious as winter approaches, following a crash that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Selah High School student.
The student lost control of their vehicle after hitting a patch of ice on Wednesday. Yakima County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Casey Schilperoort emphasized the importance of being vigilant on icy roads.
“As soon as it gets to 32 degrees or under, expect that the roads are going to ice up,” Schilperoort said.
Schilperoort explained that road temperature can differ from air temperature, making it crucial for drivers to be aware of changing conditions.
“If the air temperature is, you know, at getting close to freezing, you would expect that the road is also going to be getting to that temperature soon,” Schilperoort said. “You’ll notice within your headlights on the ground that the roadway just looks not quite wet anymore. It’s just a little bit icy where the road is starting to crystallize.”
Drivers who encounter ice patches should ease off the gas pedal.
“Slow down as naturally as possible and then apply the brakes slowly, not quickly,” Schilperoort advised. “If you do quickly, you’re going to lose control. Slow down at a nicer pace and you’ll be able to steer in the direction you need to go.”
Foggy weather also calls for headlights to be used at all times.
“A lot of people think, well, I can see perfectly fine. I don’t have to have my headlights on,” Schilperoort said. “Well, the headlights aren’t always for you to see. It’s for other people to see you.”
This recent crash is the 13th in Yakima County this year, a figure usually in the 20s by this time, according to Schilperoort. As the community mourns, he encourages drivers to reflect on their driving habits.
“It’s important that everybody, you know, reflect a little bit and really pay attention to their driving and realize what their driving skills are and are not,” Schilperoort said.
