Port Hadlock woman hurt in U.S. Highway 101 wreck

DISCOVERY BAY — A Port Hadlock woman was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after a single-car wreck at Milepost 282 on U.S. Highway 101 at West Uncas Road on Tuesday.

Lanes in both directions were blocked for about an hour after the wreck at about 1:42 p.m.

A 1993 Buick Regal driven by Mitchell Kuss, 22, of Port Angeles was traveling south when it went off the road and hit the embankment, the State Patrol said.

Passenger Desiree Taylor, 22, was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted with serious injuries to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.

The driver was not hurt, the State Patrol said.

Traffic was managed with alternate lane access until both lanes were reopened at about 3:15 p.m.

Two dogs were in the car, and one was injured, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Przygocki.

The uninjured dog was placed in his patrol car and seemed friendly, Przygocki said, but it attacked animal control officer Alex Mintz when he opened the door to retrieve it.

Mintz drove himself to Jefferson Healthcare hospital for treatment, Przygocki said.

Dogs with family

Both dogs are now in the custody of family members of one of the people in the wreck, Przygocki said.

They arrived shortly after the crash and were planning to take the injured dog to a veterinarian, he added.

East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley said personnel from five fire departments helped at the scene. They were from East Jefferson Fire-Rescue, Port Ludlow Fire Rescue and from companies in Quilcene, Discovery Bay and Clallam County.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

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