She never made it past **milepost 8**, where State Route 504 begins its gradual sweep toward the foothills of **Mount St. Helens**—a familiar drive for locals, one known for its wide shoulders, predictable curves, and typically calm morning traffic. Yet it was there, along that otherwise unremarkable bend, that **26-
year-old Faith E. Jones** lost her life early Thursday morning. According to the **Washington State Patrol**, her 1997 GMC Suburban veered off the westbound lane at approximately **6:47 a.m.**, leaving the roadway and crashing head-on into a power pole with devastating force.
First responders arrived to find the Suburban overturned, its roof crushed and its front end wrapped tightly around the splintered pole. Faith was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers noted that no other vehicles were involved, and there were no skid marks or signs suggesting evasive action—details that have raised more questions than answers in the hours since the collision.
Preliminary findings indicate **no evidence of alcohol or drugs**, though full toxicology results are still pending. Weather conditions were clear, the roadway dry, and visibility unobstructed, ruling out the environmental factors that so often complicate crash investigations on rural highways. Troopers reported no debris, wildlife activity, or obstructions that might have forced a sudden swerve.
With external causes not immediately apparent, investigators have turned their attention to the vehicle itself. A comprehensive mechanical inspection of the aging 1997 Suburban is underway to determine whether a tire blowout, steering failure, or brake malfunction could have contributed to the sudden departure from the roadway.
As loved ones mourn a vibrant young woman whose life ended on an ordinary stretch of road, the community waits for answers—answers that may take days or even weeks to surface. For now, the reason Faith’s vehicle left SR 504 remains an unresolved and deeply painful mystery.
About the Author
