PORT HADLOCK— A Port Townsend man is in the Jefferson County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide after he allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist, then left the scene, early this morning.
Jeremy Jon Morris, 40, was driving south on state Highway 19 at about 1:10 a.m. when he swerved off the road and struck Esther M. Machado, 38, the State Patrol said.
Machado,who police consider a transient, died at the scene, the State Patrol said.
Machado was riding on the southbound shoulder outside of the fog line and was struck just south of the intersection of Four Corners Road, said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
After striking Machado, Morris turned around and drove north to a friend’s residence in Port Townsend where he was convinced to return to the scene of the collision and turn himself in, Winger said.
By that time, State Patrol troopers, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and Port Townsend police were there, alerted to the collision by a call from a passerby shortly after it happened.
Morris was taken into custody, Winger said.
Machado was wearing dark clothing and her bicycle had no lights or reflectors when she was hit, Winger said.
She had a Tacoma driver’s license but had lived in the Port Townsend and Port Hadlock area for several years, according to Undersheriff Joe Nole.
Her residence was unknown to police, who considered her a transient.
Machado’s body was taken to Kosec Funeral Home in Port Townsend awaiting the scheduling of an autopsy.
As of this morning, no court appearance for Morris had been scheduled, but one would most likely take place Wednesday morning, according to James Kennedy, Jefferson County deputy prosecuting attorney.
Morris’ damaged vehicle, a black 1999 Ford Expedition, was impounded by State Patrol as was Machado’s mountain bike.
Traffic was rerouted and was cleared at 5:26 a.m.
Winger said the scene needed to be preserved to gather evidence due to the nature of the collision.
It was unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved, the State Patrol said.
The investigation is continuing.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
