Company of Heroes designer Brian R. Wood has been killed in a tragic automobile collision.
The 33-year-old Wood was traveling with his wife on Whidbey Island in Washington State when his Subaru Outback was struck head-on by a Chevy Blazer being driven by 21-year-old Jordyn Weichert. A Washington State Patrol spokesman said the wreck was caused when Weichert attempted to remove her sweater while passenger Samantha Bowling held the wheel. Bowling lost control of the vehicle, which crossed into the opposing lane and collided with Wood’s SUV.
Wood’s wife Erin, who is six months pregnant, was hospitalized and is listed as being in “improving condition.” Two other passengers in Weichert’s vehicle, 25-year-old Jacob Quistorf and 26-year-old Francis Malloy, were also killed.
Weichert is believed to have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the collision and could be charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, according to the spokesman. She will be booked into Island County jail when she’s released from hospital; Bowling is also facing a possible vehicular homicide charge.
Wood had a prominent role in the development of the Company of Heroes franchise, working as a designer on the original game and design supervisor on Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts before moving up to lead designer on the 2009 release Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor. His past credits also include Axis & Allies and Kohan II: Kings of War.
We at The Escapist extend our deepest sympathies to Wood’s family and friends for their terrible loss.
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
