PORT TOWNSEND — Black ice contributed to back-to-back wrecks on state Highway 104 on Monday morning, one of which involved a parked ambulance, the State Patrol said.
Larry D. Edwards, 80, of Port Angeles was driving eastbound in a 2001 Jaguar XJ8 when he encountered black ice and lost control near milepost 1 at about 7:14 a.m., troopers said in a collision memo.
The car spun out, crossed the center line and rolled into the ditch on the westbound shoulder, according to the State Patrol.
A passenger, Loretta G. Edwards, 76, of Port Angeles was transported to Olympic Medical Center.
She was listed in satisfactory condition Monday afternoon, hospital spokeswoman Bobby Beeman said.
Larry Edwards was uninjured in the crash. He was cited for driving too fast for conditions, the State Patrol said.
Larry and Loretta Edwards were each wearing seat belts, the State Patrol said.
Meanwhile, a Sequim driver and his passenger were uninjured when the 1999 Dodge Dakota they were traveling in lost control on the same section of highway shortly after the first collision.
The pickup driven by Steven D. Saunders, 74, of Sequim crossed the centerline and side-swiped a GMC Sierra ambulance that was parked on the westbound shoulder, troopers said.
After striking the ambulance, the Dodge pickup continued eastbound and came to a rest in the eastbound lanes, according to the collision memo.
Saunders and his passenger, Donna M. Saunders, 65, of Sequim, were each wearing seat belts, the State Patrol said.
Steven Saunders was cited for second-degree negligent driving, according to the collision memo.
Both wrecks were caused by speed too fast for conditions, troopers said. Drugs or alcohol were not factors in either crash, the State Patrol said.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at [email protected].
