CLALLAM BAY — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 21-year-old Neah Bay man after his body was found in a truck parked in the middle of state Highway 112 on Sunday morning.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said investigators believe Michael Clayton McGee consumed a “significant” amount of alcohol at a party the night before, but the official cause of death remains under investigation.
King said the death does not appear to be suspicious, but there are still many questions concerning where and when McGee died.
“There’s no obvious signs of foul play,” King said.
“While the cause of death is undetermined, we have evidence that supports the deceased individual consuming a significant amount of alcohol.
“We haven’t uncovered anything that would lead us to believe a crime was committed that contributed to his death.”
Two corrections officers heading to the Clallam Bay Corrections Center on Sunday morning discovered a black 2012 GMC pickup parked in the middle of the highway near milepost 9 at about 5:49 a.m.
Inside the vehicle, they found Tommy Lee Tyler, 19, in the drivers seat and McGee wrapped in a blanket in the back seat. Tyler, who King said is not suspected of being involved with McGee’s death, was found passed out and covered in vomit.
“He was conscious and responsive, but he was highly, highly intoxicated,” King said.
There was damage to the vehicle that suggested it had hit a guardrail, King said, but the collision did not appear related to the death.
The investigation disrupted traffic on Highway 112 for most of the day Sunday.
The roadway was clear by about 5:15 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.
Tyler was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol and appeared in court Monday.
Tyler was not listed on the Clallam County jail roster Monday afternoon.
King said the investigators learned that Tyler and McGee attended a party in Clallam Bay the night before the truck was found.
“We executed a search warrant at that location as well as on the vehicle,” King said. “We discovered evidence consistent with a high volume of alcohol consumption.”
When McGee became intoxicated, partygoers took him to the vehicle to sleep, King said.
Someone eventually gave McGee a blanket because he appeared cold.
Sometime later Tyler, who King said had also been drinking heavily, used the truck to take another partygoer home.
After dropping that person off he became confused as to his location and was unable to make his way back to the party.
King said an autopsy is scheduled.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Eric Munger by calling 360-417-2576.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
