Pickup truck catches fire in Cle Elum after striking an elk on the roadway

CLE ELUM, Wash. — State Troopers are stressing awareness on the roadways after a pickup truck was destroyed when a driver crashed into an elk on I-90 in Kittitas County.

According to Trooper John Bryant of the Washington State Patrol (WSP), reports came in just after 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 17 that a vehicle caught fire on the westbound lane of Interstate 90.

Upon further investigation, WSP Troopers found that the driver of a 2001 GMC pickup truck struck an elk in the area of Cle Elum near milepost 82. Thankfully, WSP reports that neither the driver nor his passengers were injured as a result of the collision and subsequent crash.

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However, the elk was reported dead at the scene despite its body being salvaged from the crash site.

With this accident in mind, Trooper Bryant offered the following reminder to drivers in Cle Elum or anywhere in Washington state where you may come across wildlife on the highway: “Stay alert and scan the roadway if traveling at night on our roadways.”

Images show that the entire front of the truck was smashed as a result of the collision, rendering the vehicle totaled. Fire crews were called to the side of I-90 near Cle Elum to put out the car fire and prevent it from spreading to the surrounding area.

This is a breaking news story. An update and/or follow-up could be issued if further details are made public.

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