State Rep. Jim Walsh’s wife dies in car accident
Oct 25, 2022, 2:36 PM

(Washington State Patrol)
(Washington State Patrol)
The wife of prominent Washington state Representative Jim Walsh has died in a traffic collision.
According to a report from the Washington State Patrol, 58-year-old Jamie Walsh was killed late Monday morning, when her car crashed into a fully-loaded log truck on U.S. Route 101 north of the Montesano cutoff.
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The that Walsh allegedly crossed the center line near milepost 79 north of the cutoff and struck the truck driven by Edward Reames, 60, of Aberdeen. Neither was accompanied by passengers and both were wearing seat belts.
Walsh died at the scene and the driver of the log truck was not injured.
Walsh was the former director of the Aberdeen School District, serving from 2014 to 2017. The Aberdeen School District Board of Directors released a statement following the announcement of her death.
“It was my pleasure to serve with her, and I enjoyed the times we were able to talk even after her service on the board,” President Jennifer Durney wrote. “She was passionate about our community and about our students. As an architect, she especially enjoyed the contribution she was able to make to our capital improvement projects.”
She is survived by her husband, Rep. Walsh, and their five kids.
Governor Jay Inslee tweeted that the news was “absolutely heartbreaking” and that he and Trudi Inslee extend their “deepest sympathies to Representative Jim Walsh and their family.”
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox issued a statement regarding the accident:
鈥淚 am deeply saddened by the passing of Jamie Walsh. Anyone who knew her got to see, firsthand, that she was a phenomenal mother and wife. Jamie and Jim were an amazing team and raised outstanding children. Jamie was energetic, motivated, and dedicated to helping Jim do what was best for their community and state. This is a tragic loss on so many levels.
鈥淥n behalf of the House Republican Caucus, we offer our condolences to Jim, his children, and all of Jamie鈥檚 family. We wish them peace and strength during this incredibly difficult time.鈥