JOYCE — National statistics show about one-third of police chases result in crashes and one in five ends with someone getting hurt.
Joyce was the scene of the most recent pursuit on the North Olympic Peninsula that ended in a crash and serious injuries.
At about 12:30 a.m. Sept. 8, Clallam County Sgt. Dave Fontenot began pursuing a vehicle westbound on state Highway 112 toward this small town after the car allegedly sped by him.
According to a Sheriff’s Department report, the chase began at 80 mph and escalated.
Fontenot reported reaching 115 mph as the two vehicles entered Joyce.
Fontenot backed off the speed, but the driver, 18-year-old Kimberly Seward of Joyce, ultimately lost control of her vehicle and crashed.
Joyce businessman Kevin Burnham and Crescent School District Superintendent Rich Wilson hope the scenario will not be repeated.
They also hope drivers will slow down though Joyce — the highway runs past Joyce General Store, the town laundromat, restaurant, museum, churches, the grange hall and Crescent School.
“It’s not often, but I don’t like to see it,” Wilson said of drivers speeding through the rural community.
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The rest of the story appears in the Sunday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.