High-speed crash into a tree kills 2 brothers south of Lynden, troopers say

Two brothers died early Friday in a high-speed crash south of Lynden.

A red Toyota Camry slammed head-on into a tree around 12:01 a.m. north of the intersection of Old Guide and West Pole roads, about 3 miles south of Lynden.

The car had been headed north at a “high rate of speed,” and failed to slow down for a stop sign, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The 2000 Toyota crashed into the large evergreen tree in a yard west of Old Guide, about 75 yards north of the intersection, said state patrol Sgt. Mark Francis.

The car looked like it had “imploded,” Francis said.

First-responders found the driver, Cesar Cruz-Cruz, 21, of Lynden, and a male passenger dead at the scene. The driver’s name was released in the morning, after family was notified. Hours later authorities confirmed the passenger was the driver’s brother, Jorge L. Cruz-Cruz, 19, of Everson.

Authorities estimated the car may have been traveling over 100 mph. The exact speed, and the cause of the crash, remain under investigation. Francis said there were no skid marks on the road, suggesting that the driver did not brake.

Troopers found no obvious signs of drug or alcohol use, but noted it's not known if the driver was impaired or not. Toxicology tests often take weeks to complete. Both autopsies are scheduled for Monday.

This story was originally published April 7, 2017 at 6:50 AM with the headline "High-speed crash into a tree kills 2 brothers south of Lynden, troopers say."