HAMILTON — Two Bellingham residents were injured in a one-vehicle accident Thursday morning on South Skagit Highway.

A 38-year-old man was driving a 1991 Buick westbound on South Skagit Highway just east of Hamilton near Fox Creek Lane when he went off the road to the right and struck a tree about 7:30 a.m., according to the State Patrol.

Troopers believe the driver, Sean Newell, was trying to turn a corner, overcorrected and lost control, said State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary.

Leary said icy roads could have contributed to the accident.

Newell suffered head injuries and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. His passenger, 37-year-old Donna Parker, was taken to United General Hospital, according to the State Patrol. Their conditions were not available.

Newell was driving a borrowed car and had multiple warrants out for his arrest, Leary said.

Leary said Newell was driving about 42 mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit there is 50 mph.

Since snow started falling about 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the State Patrol had a stream of a dozen accidents around Skagit County.

The Hamilton accident was the only one with injuries, Leary said.

“This is one of those reminders to decrease our speed and increase following distance,” Leary said of driving in inclement weather.

Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at tganser@skagitpublish ing.com.