A fatal accident left one student dead and four other injured on Friday, Aug. 18. 2006. The driver, Christopher Gaskin, a senior, was killed after his 1991 Toyota Celica hit a utility pole in front of Spanaway Lake High School. A 16-year-old boy in the front passenger seat was critically injured, and two girls, 15 and 16, and a 14-year old boy suffered minor injuries.

The five teens were speeding westward on 168th street when driver, Gaskin, lost control of the vehicle and slid into the utility pole cracking it in half. Police say investigators found ammunition and evidence of drugs and alcohol in the vehicle.

Two passengers that survived the crash said they were only driving a few minutes when a small animal ran across the rode. Gaskin swerved to miss the animal and hit the pole.

Kerrin Graham, a sophomore, was with the five teens before the accident. “I can’t believe this happened,” said Kerrin, “I was just with them only minutes before.” Kerrin said the teens were on their way to a local store to buy tobacco products.

Police say that no charges will be made in this accident.

A memorial was set up in front of Spanaway Lake High School at the exact crash site. The utility pole had to be completely replaced, but the first one, still cracked, stands as a reminder of this tragic event.