Driver identified in fatal crash on Bay Road

PETER JENSEN

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The driver in a fatal crash on Bay Road south of Custer Friday night has been publicly identified as James Gray, 61. Gray lived in the Ferndale area.

Gray was driving north on Vista Drive and was turning west onto Bay Road at 9:20 p.m. when he lost control of his car.

The 1993 Mazda four-door slid sideways and struck a utility pole. Gray suffered head and chest injuries, said Traffic Sgt. Steve Gatterman of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.

Gray was unconscious when medics transported him to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Gatterman said Gray was likely going too fast to handle the turn, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

He was wearing a seat belt and the air bag deployed. The pole struck the passenger's side door, so the air bag couldn't have prevented his injuries, Gatterman said.