Man dies in speed, alcohol-related wreck

By KATU.com Staff Published: Mar 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM PST Last Updated: Mar 8, 2009 at 4:23 PM PST
Man dies in speed, alcohol-related wreck
Authorities released this photo of the scene of a fatal wreck Sunday morning.

BRIGHTWOOD, Ore. - A Gresham man was killed Sunday morning when his pickup truck ran off a Clackamas County road near Mount Hood and struck a tree, authorities said.

The deceased was identified as 29-year-old Nicholas Ray Frazier, according to Detective Jim Strovink, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

Witnesses said they saw the silver 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driving erratically - including striking a stop sign - on Arrah Wauna Boulevard prior to the 11:30 a.m. crash, Strovink said. Investigators believe the pickup then ran off East Barlow Trail Road, about a quarter mile east of Brightwood, at a high rate of speed, traveled down a 5 foot embankment and hit the tree.

Frazier, who was killed on impact, was not wearing a seat belt and the truck's air bag did not deploy, Strovink said.

Deputies believe speed and alcohol contributed to causing the wreck.