A fatal crash was reported early Friday morning on North Wenas Road. Yakima County Sheriff''s Deputies say they were called to help the Selah Police Department with the investigation.

The crash was reported at about 2:30 am Friday. Authorities say the driver, 38-year-old Michael Turner was traveling at a high speed when he crashed his vehicle into a tree in the 1500 block of North Wenas Road near Selah. They say Turner lost control of his car and the vehicle’s passenger side struck a nearby tree. Turner died at the scene of the crash.

Deputies say excessive speed and intoxicants played a role in the cause of the crash. An investigation is underway. While it's a new year 2021 was a deadly year in the state for drivers behind the wheel. The Washington State Department of Transportation says there were 561 fatal crashes reported in 2021. State officials say that's most fatal crashes the state has seen since 2012. 13 of those crashes happened right here in Yakima.

In 2020, 535 fatal crashes were reported and 2019 517 died in crashes in the state. Many of the crashes involve drivers who were drinking or on drugs. The Washington State Patrol has a special DUI unit. Local Police and Sheriff's Deputies receive special training to spot intoxicated and drugged drivers. It's all in an effort to put a stop to fatal DUI related crashes.