Driver, 22, out of jail after allegedly fleeing scene of wreck

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, January 6, 2015

PORT TOWNSEND — A 22-year-old woman was booked into the Jefferson County jail and released Monday on her own recognizance after the car she was driving failed to negotiate a Sims Way curve, overturned and ejected her passenger.

She allegedly then fled the scene on foot and was arrested a short time later by Port Townsend police, according to the State Patrol.

State troopers said the 1997 Nissan Altima driven by Claire J. Hammond of Port Townsend was westbound on Sims Way about 10:30 p.m. Sunday when it failed to negotiate a roundabout at high speed and went into a three-foot ditch at Logan Street.

The car then pulled out of the ditch and overturned upside-down in the westbound lane of Sims Way, troopers said.

The passenger, identified by the State Patrol as James G. Larson, 26, also of Port Townsend, was ejected when the Nissan overturned.

Hammond allegedly left the scene on foot and appeared to have been apprehended a short time later by police, State Patrol spokesman Trooper Russ Winger said.

Police took her to the county jail for investigation of vehicular assault after she was treated by paramedics for minor injuries at the scene.

“I think they found her fairly quickly,” Winger said.

Larson was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he was treated and released.

Investigating troopers said the car was traveling too fast for the rainy conditions, and that drugs or alcohol were involved.