SEABECK – A Central Kitsap man was killed after the truck he was driving crashed into a tree and caught fire on a curvy section of Tahuyeh Lake Road NW on July 5.

The Kitsap County Coroner’s Office identified the driver as Jeffrey Riley Thatcher, 31, of Central Kitsap. Thatcher was declared deceased at the crash scene. There were no passengers.

The crash occurred at 1:30 a.m. on the 2500 block of Tahuyeh Lake Road NW, south of the intersection with NW Holly Road.

Engine and medic units from Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue and patrol deputies and traffic investigators from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash after multiple 911 calls came in.

Sheriff’s deputies located a 1999 Chevrolet 2500 pick-up truck in the ditch of the northbound lane. The truck was fully engulfed in fire and had touched off a brush fire as well. CKFR extinguished the fires.

Deputies discovered Thatcher’s body nearby. Thatcher was not using the vehicle’s seatbelt and was ejected from the cab of the truck.

The burned shell of the truck was removed from the crash site and impounded as evidence.

Sheriff’s traffic investigators initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. A preliminary analysis indicates that the pick-up truck was heading southbound on Tahuyeh Lake Road at a high rate of speed when the driver failed to negotiate a 30 mph curve. The truck veered off the roadway, struck a tree and burst into flames.

Investigators measured skid marks more than 730 feet in length on the road.

A portion of Tahuyeh Lake Road was closed until about 5:15 a.m.

The county’s forensic pathologist will conduct an autopsy. Autopsy procedures include toxicology tests to determine any possible impairment of the driver due to the use of alcoholic intoxicants or drugs.

The Kitsap County Coroner will make a determination as to the cause and manner of death.

Anyone who may have information about this crash may contact Deputy Andrew Aman, sheriff’s traffic unit, at 360-337-4634, reference report K15-006397.