SEQUIM — A Sequim man known to a friend as “a dedicated musician shrouded in mystery” was killed Tuesday while on the Dungeness River bridge on U.S. Highway 101.
James C. Rogers, 28 — who lived in a makeshift campsite and was known as a rapper who performed under the name of Jack Rojahs — died at about 7:09 p.m. Tuesday.
He was struck by a car while he was walking on or standing in a travel lane, said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
Michael C. Carpenter, 52, of Sequim was driving a red-and-white 1985 Ford Ranger pickup truck in the right, westbound lane on Highway 101 while Rogers was in the same lane, according to the State Patrol report.
The pickup struck Rogers. Carpenter immediately pulled to the shoulder and stopped, the report said.
An unidentified passer-by began performing CPR on Rogers, according to Clallam County Fire District No. 3 officials.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by fire department paramedics, firefighters said.
Firefighters said Rogers suffered massive trauma and probably died on impact.
He was thrown about 40 feet from the point of impact, and his body was found in the median, fire officials said.
The speed limit on the bridge is 55 mph.
Carpenter was not injured and was not impaired by drugs or alcohol, the State Patrol said.
Carpenter will not be cited. The State Patrol determined the cause of the collision was Rogers standing in the roadway.
Highway 101 traffic was slowed at the bridge until about 10:30 p.m. while troopers investigated the collision.
The State Patrol is awaiting results of an autopsy and blood tests to determine if Rogers was under the influence of alcohol when he was hit, Winger said.
It was not known why he was in the lane, Winger said.
His next-of-kin was notified by State Patrol troopers.
The truck was damaged but drivable.
Rogers camped under the bridge and was “a dedicated musician shrouded in mystery who chose his lifestyle with total style,” said Christopher Groves, a Sequim resident who had hosted Rogers at his home shortly before the collision.
“He was extremely talented and extremely likeable,” Groves said.
Rogers, a rapper, went by the performing name of name Jack Rojahs, Groves said, and had a passion for collecting music.
“His music list is just mouth-watering, and he had a plan to make his own label,” Groves said.
Groves said Rogers had moved to Sequim from Springfield, Ore., after a family tragedy, but he was uncertain when.
Groves had known Rogers for about five months, and they became friends during that time, he said.
Rogers “had an old soul,” Groves said, adding that he often gave kickboxing lessons to Groves’ son and talked a great deal about young relatives of his own.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
