Cathlamet man dies in traffic accident

Cathlamet resident Gary Backman, 70, died and another man was severely injured when their vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier on July 2.

According to information from the Washington State Patrol, the vehicle crossed the centerline of SR 4 at the Coal Creek Road intersection on the west side of Longview and collided with the concrete barrier.

Backman, a passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene, and the other man, the driver, sustained severe injuries and has been hospitalized. Neither were wearing seatbelts.

The accident is under investigation; no other information has been available from the state patrol.

Raised on Puget Island, Backman graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1968. Among other activities, he has worked as a commercial fisherman, logger and janitor in Cathlamet schools.

His wife, Martha, who had been under care from effects of a severe stroke, passed away July 10.