2 Adults Killed While Sunbathing at Sandy Swimming Hole; Suspect Found

The normally tranquil Sandy Swimming Hole is now a crime scene as Washougal Police report Tuesday evening they have apprehended the driver suspected of running over and killing two adults who were relaxing at the popular beach, along the Washougal River.

The two victims, a husband and wife in their 50s, died at the hospital, according to the police.

According to Sgt. Alex Schoening, of the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened just before 5 pm at the Sandy Swimming Hole Park, which is a popular local summer attraction.

“At about 4:50 this afternoon, we were dispatched, along with the Washougal Police, to a report of a vehicle that had run over a couple of folks sunbathing in the park, and it left the scene,” said Schoening. “The vehicle came through the parking lot, came south through this fence, down the hill, and then drove out of the parking lot. The suspect vehicle was captured on a neighbor’s residential surveillance security video, and we were able to get a good description of the vehicle, which is a 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee dark red in color, driven by a male occupant.”

“We’re out here as the traffic homicide unit for the county, and we’re here to support the Washougal police in this investigation,” he said. “We do know the identity of the deceased, we’re just not releasing it at this time.”

The victims were rushed to the hospital; one died shortly after arrival and the other was pronounced dead 20 minutes later.

Police reported they were looking for a red or maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee with extensive front-end damage, and missing a front grille. There is no indication yet of how they located the suspect.

Witnesses said the driver is a white male, in his 40s or 50s, with thinning, brownish hair.