March trial set in Port Angeles vehicular assault case

PORT ANGELES — A March 24 trial date has been set for a Port Angeles man charged with two counts of alcohol-related vehicular assault after allegedly causing a wreck on Marine Drive that seriously injured another Port Angeles man and his son.

Robert Allen Spencer, 62, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two vehicular assault charges in Clallam County Superior Court.

He is set to appear in court March 6 for a case status hearing, according to Superior Court documents.

Port Angeles police say Spencer was under the influence of alcohol when the GMC Envoy sport utility vehicle he was driving east on Marine Drive at about 7 p.m. Jan. 2 crossed the centerline and hit the driver’s side of a westbound Honda Civic.

The collision injured the Honda driver, 63-year-old Thomas Hanley, and his 15-year-old son, Seamus.

Both Hanleys were taken to Olympic Medical Center with serious injuries, according to police, with the younger needing emergency abdominal surgery.

Thomas Hanley suffered a fractured sternum, police said.

The elder Hanley had been treated and discharged as of Saturday, according to hospital officials, while his son remained in stable condition as of Sunday.

Bobby Beeman, OMC spokeswoman, said Wednesday she could not release Seamus Hanley’s condition because he is a minor.

She said releasing his condition last week was an error.

Spencer failed a field sobriety test at the scene of the wreck, police said, and told officers he had drunk between three and four 16-ounce beers at a nearby lounge before the collision.

________

Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Mark Gregson.
Interim hospital CEO praises partnership, legacy

Gregson says goal is to solidify pact with UW Medicine in coming months

Jefferson County Auditor Brenda Huntingford, right, watches as clerk Ronnie Swafford loads a stack of ballots that were delivered from the post office on Tuesday into a machine that checks for signatures. The special election has measures affecting the Port Townsend and Brinnon school districts as well as East Jefferson Fire Rescue. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Jefferson County voters supporting school district measures, fire lid lifts

Port Townsend approving 20-year, $99.25 million construction bond

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew from Seattle Global Diving and Salvage work to remove a derelict catamaran that was stuck in the sand for weeks on a beach at the Water Front Inn on Washington Street in Port Townsend. The boat had been sunk off of Indian Point for weeks before a series of storms pushed it to this beach last week. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Derelict boat removal

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew… Continue reading

Rob Birman has served as Centrum’s executive director for 14 years. When the arts nonprofit completes its search for its next leader, Birman will transition into a role focused on capital fundraising and overseeing capital projects for buildings Centrum oversees. (Centrum)
Centrum signs lease to remain at Fort Worden for next 35 years

Executive director will transition into role focused on fundraising

Clallam approves contracts with several agencies

Funding for reimbursement, equipment replacement

Mark and Linda Secord have been named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2025.
Secords named Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Mark and Linda Secord have been chosen as Marrowstone… Continue reading

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess Payton Frank, Queen Lorelei Turner and 2025 Queen Taylor Frank. The 2026 queen was crowned by the outgoing queen during a ceremony at Chimacum High School on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rhody coronation

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess… Continue reading

Jefferson considering new site for solid waste

Commissioners direct further exploration

Public feedback still shaping Clallam ordinance on RV usage

Community Development department set to move sections of its proposal

Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading