Driver in fatal crash ID’d as Washougal man

The driver who died in a crash near the border between Clark and Skamania counties last week was identified as a Washougal man. John V. Johnson, 66, of Washougal died at the scene of the crash when at about 3:15 p.m. on April 5, the 1991 Chevrolet pickup he was driving struck a tree head-on, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. His passenger, Leland Bedell, 65, also of Washougal, was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. He remains in the hospital, but his condition was unavailable. Authorities say they believe a medical emergency was a contributing cause of the crash, with witnesses reporting the driver pull over to let traffic pass before speeding back up, passing other cars and going off the roadway, the sheriff’s office said.