Racing game may have led to deadly Port Orchard crash, officials say

PORT ORCHARD - A game of "leapfrog" may have led to a crash that killed two teenage girls Monday night outside Port Orchard.

Kitsap County sheriff's deputies said the crash happened around 9:40 p.m. in the 1100 block of Baby Doll Road SE near the intersection with E. Lasalle Street. A 19-year old female was driving a Toyota Camry north at a high rate of speed when she slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting an SUV in front of her. The car skidded and went off the roadway, hitting a tree before coming to a rest in a drainage ditch.

Both the driver and a 17-year old female passenger in the front seat died at the scene, sheriff's deputies said.  Another 17-year old female passenger in the back seat was extricated and taken to Tacoma General Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses said the Camry appeared to have been racing a pick-up prior to the collision. Witnesses said the Camry and pick-up were racing each other, playing a game of "leapfrog" in which they passed each other repeatedly in speeds excess of 35 MPH.  The truck stopped and attempted to help the occupants of the Camry.

The driver of the pick-up has been arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide and reckless driving.  He was booked in the Kitsap County Jail with bail set at $250,000.

Baby Doll Road was closed for six hours after the crash. Alcohol and drugs did not appear to be a factor in the crash, officials said.

Anyone who witnessed the crash should contact Kitsap County sheriff's deputy Michael Shannon at 360-337-4634.