Washington State Patrol: Please use social media with care

On Jan. 4, troopers in Lewis County were called to a two-vehicle collision on state Route 12 involving a passenger car and semi-truck.

The driver of the passenger car, Mr. Jay Sume of Randle, died after the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line and collided with the front of the semi-truck.

Because of social media, this fatality collision became a challenge for the troopers. The wife of Mr. Sume arrived on scene after reading a message of the incident on FaceBook.

Troopers were not prepared to notify Mrs. Sume of the death of her husband or answer questions on how the death occurred when she arrived. Investigators were still collecting evidence and determining a preliminary cause of the collision.

Troopers were extremely concerned the final images Mrs. Sume would remember of her husband would have an emotionally lasting impact. Troopers were faced with the difficult task of telling Mrs. Sume her husband had died while she looked at the wreckage of the scene.

Social media has become an important part of everyday life. Notifying friends or family of milestones and offering congratulations to another on a job well done can be important ways to share our lives with those we care about.

Social media also informs us of impending dangers and where critical information can be found during a significant event. It uses words and pictures to help us understand our world.

However, before you post a message or picture of a tragic incident, it is always a good idea to think of the family that may be affected by your words or images. It may be best to tweet just the facts, "Road closed, use alt route."

At times, the Washington State Patrol posts pictures of critical incidents and offers information to the public on social media sites. But photos are posted only after families have been notified.

Troopers recall a similar incident in December of 2013 when a Vancouver woman unknowingly tweeted her husband's death, then realized the person killed was indeed her husband.

She then began asking investigators and passing motorists, through social media, for more details to confirm her suspicions. Troopers were able to notify the woman in person, before she confirmed the death on social media.

Another case in Vancouver last March left a motorist with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle that caused the collision, while passing a collision scene, was attempting to capture images for social media of troopers investigating another collision, this one with a fatality.

The driver's action not only caused an injury collision but carried the potential of having to notify yet another family their 18-year-old loved one had died before troopers could make a more compassionate notification.

The task of notifying family members of a loved one's passing is difficult and painful. Troopers take pride knowing they can bring comfort to a grieving family.

Comfort may be given by staying with a wife who is home alone until a friend or family member can be with her. It may also be given by answering a specific question about the investigation.

Troopers cannot offer personal comfort or answer questions when families learn of their loss over social media. Please take note of the pain you may bring to a family before you post.