DUI suspected in 2-car, head-on crash on Mount Baker Highway that hospitalizes two drivers
A Whatcom County man is suspected of DUI and vehicular assault after he was involved in a two-car, head-on crash along Mount Baker Highway early Thursday that resulted in both drivers being hospitalized.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:55 a.m. Thursday, April 28, according to the Washington State Patrol report on the incident, near milepost 16, which is midway between the Valley Highway and Mosquito Lake Road.
A 2001 Toyota Highlander driven by 37-year-old Maple Falls resident Andrey A. Varkentin was heading westbound on the Mount Baker Highway, while a 2017 Volkswagen Golf driven by a 46-year-old Maple Falls resident was traveling eastbound, according to the report.
Varkentin’s Highlander crossed the center line into the oncoming line of travel, according to the report, forcing the driver of the Golf to steer into the westbound shoulder to avoid it.
The two vehicles struck head-on and came to rest down an embankment, the report states.
Both Varkentin and the driver of the Golf were taken to St. Joseph’s hospital in Bellingham with injuries sustained in the crash, according to the report, though both were wearing seat belts at the time.
The State Patrol booked Varkentin into Whatcom County Jail at 5:25 a.m. Thursday on suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault.
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 7:40 AM.
