09/06/2006: "Names & Conditions Of Accident Victims Released"

Sheriff Bill Cumming has released the names and the medical conditions of the young men involved in the recent accident on San Juan Island.

The one fatality was 23 year old Miguel Huerta of Friday Harbor, who was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Cumming said that based on the witnesses and the evidence at the scene, it appears that Mr. Huerta was killed instantly. An autopsy has been scheduled with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner.

Miguel Huerta has family in Texas, and on San Juan Island, and a memorial gathering for his friends and family members will be held Saturday at his brothers house (potluck dinner, 3pm, 1112 Yacht Haven Rd). His mother and relatives reside in Texas, where the funeral will be held.

The four survivors are expected to make a full recovery, They are: Gerardo Salas-Valente 17, who suffered injuries to his arm and leg, and may have received some internal injuries as well; Mario Salas,15, has an injured hand and a number of lacerations. Both are from Mt. Vernon.

Israel Cruz Aguyo, 17 has internal injuries and scalp lacerations; James Ausilio, 18, the driver of the driver of the vehicle, received facial injuries, and possible internal injuries. A sample of Ausilio's blood will be examined by the WSP Crime Lab. Both of the men are from Friday Harbor.

Cumming states that based on the evidence at the scene, it is now estimated that the speed of the vehicle (a 1995 GMC Yukon, a large SUV passenger vehicle) was "in access of 70 mph, and believe the vehicle to have rolled at least 2 times, possibly 3 times" .

The Investigators at the scene, Dep. Johansen and Dep. Tyrrell, were both trained by the Washington State Patrol in Advance Accident Investigation. The emergency personnel on scene, EMT's and Paramedics, fire fighters and their command staff, and deputies from the Sheriff's Office, were said by Cumming to have been "exceptional in their handling of a very confusing and life threatening scene.

Cumming said that "All displayed a dedication to the highest standards of emergency responders, each fulfilling their roles in an exceptionally professional manner, which resulted the minimizing of existing injuries, scene safety for all involved, and the preservation of evidence for future legal proceedings". Cumming went on to state that he is "very grateful to these volunteers and professionals for their actions" and that he also wanted to "especially thank the volunteer fireman who manned the barricades all night long"; and we might add, on into the next day as well.