Wrong-way van travels west down East Front Street

Published 12:01 am Monday, February 25, 2013

PORT ANGELES — Drivers gawked Sunday afternoon in Port Angeles, as a Dodge van rested precariously against a light pole on E. Front Street Sunday afternoon.

The van came to rest, heading westbound just south of the eastbound lanes, after its driver, Julie Woodin-Stockert, 43, of Port Angeles apparently suffered a medical emergency and passed out, Port Angeles Police Officer Mike Johnson said.

Woodin-Stockert , who was alone in the van, was in the drive-through at Taco Bell at 2001 E. First St./U.S. Highway 101 when she lost consciousness, according to early investigations.

The van accelerated onto Highway 101, struck a pickup truck, then kept going until it finally stopped between an embankment below the new U.S. Border Patrol offices and a light pole, witnesses said.

Woodin-Stockert, who was conscious when emergency vehicles arrived, was taken to Olympic Medical Center as a precaution.

There were no apparent injuries to the driver of the pickup truck, Johnson said.

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.