Out-of-control car's toll on Port Angeles street: 5 cars, house, light pole, fire hydrant
Kim Tickner, wearing red, looks at the damage to the unoccupied side of the duplex at 524 S. Cherry St., Port Angeles, in which she was living, after it was struck by an out-of-control car early Saturday morning. At right is friend Terra Priest. -- Photo by Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News
By Brian Gawley, Peninsula Daily News
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"It felt like we were having a major earthquake," said Kim Tickner, who was in the back side of the duplex when it was struck.
"It was like: Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Seemed like it went on for a couple of minutes."
Jeremy E. Albee, 18, of Port Angeles was arrested on investigation of driving under the influence, reckless driving and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
His 17-year-old male passenger - who is unidentified because of his age - was charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
According to the State Patrol, Albee was driving a 2005 Hyundai Elantra northbound on Cherry Street at about 12:50 a.m. Saturday when he lost control of the car at Seventh Street.
The car crossed the centerline, slid down the southbound sidewalk for the entire block and struck a fire hydrant and a light pole.
Then the car traveled across Sixth Street and struck an unoccupied portion of a duplex at 524 S. Cherry St., before continuing into a parked car, forcing it into another parked car, the report said.
"Felt like a quake"
Tickner said pieces of building went flying in the wreck, but that she was protected by the wall between the sides of the duplex.
Both Albee and his passenger were taken to Olympic Medical Center where they were treated for sore necks and backs and released.
Albee was wearing a seatbelt, but his passenger was not, according to the report.
In addition to the three vehicles directly damaged, two others also were struck with debris.
Estimated damages included $3,000 to a 1992 Ford Explorer, $700 to a 1987 Toyoyta pickup truck, $500 to a Subaru Forester and $500 to a 1976 Ford pickup truck.
The State Patrol said that the Hyundai driven by Albee was destroyed.
No damage estimates were available for the duplex, fire hydrant or light pole.
Tickner said the incident was far from a welcome holiday present.
"I'm out of a house and transportation right now," she said.
"Merry Christmas."
________
Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-417-3532 or brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
Photographer Keith Thorpe contributed to this report.
Last modified: December 15. 2007 9:00PM