Family and friends are mourning the loss of an Oak Harbor woman who was killed in an accident in Idaho Falls Saturday.
Oak Harbor resident Jeanne Skinner, 86, and her sister-in-law, Karen Musselman, of Idaho Falls were killed when the car they were riding in was struck by a speeding Mazda Miata at an intersection.
The driver of the Miata, Nicholas Perea, 20, of Canyon Lake, Calif., was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide this week, according to the Post Register.
A memorial service for Jeanne Skinner is planned for 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Whidbey Golf and Country Club in Oak Harbor. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation in her name to either the Oak Harbor Education Foundation or the local PEO chapter.
Jeanne Skinner was the mother of Oak Harbor attorney Chris Skinner. Karen Musselman was his aunt.
Chris Skinner described his mother as vibrant, healthy and active, despite her advanced age. She played bridge three times a week, was active with an organization that provides educational opportunities for female students and did some day trading on the side. Her latest stock purchase was a company with a ticker named “Woof.”
She kept up with national news and her Facebook page on her iPad.
“She was a very special person, and, in addition to being my mother, she was my best friend,” Chris Skinner said. “We had breakfast together every Saturday morning, something I did while both parents were alive as well.”
Jeanne Skinner and her husband, Emery “Bud” Skinner, moved to Oak Harbor from Oregon in 1992. He passed away in 2010. They had three sons — Chris, Robert and Jon.
Jeanne Skinner was in Idaho Falls with her son, Robert, to visit Dean and Karen Musselman, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Dean Musselman, 82, was driving the 2013 Buick LaCrosse when the crash occurred. The two women were seated in the back. Witnesses said the Miata was traveling up to 60 mph in the 35 mph zone, the Post Register reported.
The impact was so severe that responders had to pry Karen Musselman out with a jaws of life, Chris Skinner said.
Jeanne Skinner died after emergency surgery. Karen Musselman died an hour later.
Chris Skinner said his brother is OK and was released from the hospital after a few hours. His uncle was still in the hospital as of Tuesday but should be released soon.
Perea was driving his girlfriend’s Miata; three people were in the car even though it has two seats, according to the newspaper. Ashtyn Larsen, 18, of Idaho Falls was sitting on the lap of another passenger. She was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery for a possible broken back.
Chris Skinner said he was told Larsen may never walk again.
