Port Hadlock man airlifted after rollover wreck

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 19, 2023

PORT HADLOCK — A 26-year-old Port Hadlock man was flown to a Seattle hospital after his truck rolled over on U.S. Highway 101 at River Road in Sequim.

Cole H. Roberts was traveling eastbound on Highway 101 on Monday driving a 1983 Ford Ranger and, at about 6:30 p.m., he attempted to take the exit ramp onto River Road, the State Patrol said.

His Ford Ranger began to leave the roadway to the left and he overcorrected to the right. The truck rolled several times before it came to a rest on its top, blocking the exit.

Clallam Fire District 3 firefighters used battery-powered spreaders and cutters to remove Roberts from the vehicle after receiving reports he was trapped.

Firefighters were able to remove Roberts in less than 10 minutes, they reported. Roberts was then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle by Airlift Northwest, which landed a helicopter on the offramp.

He was not listed as a patient at Harborview Medical Center on Tuesday.

According to State Patrol Trooper Katherine Weatherwax, Roberts fell asleep at the wheel. Alcohol was not involved in the wreck. He was not wearing his seatbelt, troopers said.

Roberts was cited for second-degree negligent driving.

State Patrol troopers, aided by Sequim Police and Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies, closed the off-ramp and controlled traffic at the top of the exit.

The River Road exit was closed for about an hour an a half following the wreck, but Highway 101 remained open.

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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsula dailynews.com.