PORT ANGELES — A 34-year-old woman died in a traffic collision that blocked U.S. Highway 101 for more than three hours.
Leah K. Nyakundi of Lacey was traveling eastbound on Highway 101 about 1:38 p.m. Monday just east of Del Guzzi Drive on Monday when her 2019 Mercedes GLS struck the rear of another vehicle, the State Patrol said.
Nyakundi’s car continued eastbound before it crossed the center line and left the roadway into the westbound ditch, where it rolled over and struck a tree, the State Patrol said.
The second vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Prius driven by Henry D. Ellingsen, 58, of Port Angeles, came to rest blocking the eastbound and westbound lanes, the State Patrol said.
Nyakundi was pronounced dead at the scene. Ellingsen was transported to Olympic Medical Center, the State Patrol said.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and both vehicles were totally destroyed, the State Patrol said.
It was unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved, the State Patrol said.
The cause remained under investigation, according to the State Patrol.
