Firefighters found Gaze J. Durst, 78, of Sequim, dead after his car struck a tree off Lotzgesell Road. Photo by Patrick Young

Sequim Gazette staff

A 78-year-old Sequim man died last night after his car crashed into a tree and caught fire on Lotzgesell Road.

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Gaze J. Durst.

Deputies said the car was traveling eastbound on Lotzgesell Road near Cays Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree. The cause of the accident has not been determined and remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office traffic unit.

Patrick Young, public information officer with Clallam County Fire District 3, said the fire district responded to a report of trees on fire in the area of Cays Road and Lotzgesell Road at 5:31 p.m. Tuesday. While fire units were en route to the scene, secondary 9-1-1 reports stated a passenger car struck a tree and was on fire, Young said.

First arriving fire units found the car fully engulfed in flames, which spread to trees and brush surrounding the car, he said. While the fire was being controlled, Durst was located inside the vehicle, Young said.

While Sheriff's deputies investigated the accident, Lotzgesell Road was closed to traffic between Hogback and Cays Roads.

Fire District 3, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Olympic Ambulance all responded to the incident.

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