By Pepper Fisher

COPALIS, Wash. – The State Patrol reports that a man died Monday while driving on the beach at Copalis in Grays Harbor County.

64-year-old Dennis Faulk of Grandview, Washington was traveling south along the beach near the Roosevelt Beach approach around dusk when he apparently tried to drive through the mouth of the Copalis River. He apparently got trapped in his vehicle as it submerged and the car became flooded.

The vehicle was still stuck in the sandy riverbed and overtaken by the tide this morning.

Trooper Joshua Magerstaedt provided more details.

“So, it looks like the vehicle went into an area of the Copalis River that was not accessible. Units arrived, they got as much help as they could. So, it sounds like the Coast Guard arrived on scene with a rescue swimmer. They did some CPR. He got transported to Community Hospital, and they’re working on recovering the car today.”

Faulk was pronounced dead at Aberdeen Community Hospital. No information is available as to why Faulk drove into the river.

(Photo: Near the mouth of the Copalis River)