PORT TOWNSEND — Police continue to look for witnesses to an early morning crash that sent three Port Townsend residents to a Seattle hospital over the weekend.
State Patrol spokesman Trooper Russ Winger said Monday that no charges have been filed in the one-vehicle wreck Saturday on state Highway 20.
Police are interested in talking to anyone who witnessed the crash or had any contact with those involved prior to the incident, Winger said.
According to State Patrol, a 2006 Chevrolet pickup driven by Taylour Eldridge, 25, crashed into a tree and rolled onto its side at 1:29 a.m. at Milepost 1 of the highway, trapping and injuring Eldridge’s two passengers.
Eldridge and the passengers, Gregory W. Bolling, 23, and Amelia R. Syska-Patten, 20, were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
On Monday, Eldridge was listed in satisfactory condition, and Bolling was in serious condition, which was unchanged from Sunday, according to a Harborview spokeswoman.
Syska-Patten had been treated and released as of Sunday.
The State Patrol report listed speed as the cause of the wreck and said that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Witnesses of the crash are asked to contact Detective Joi Haner at 360-473-0147.
Though the State Police report initially said a felony vehicular assault charge would be sought against Eldridge, Winger said Monday that was undetermined as the investigation is ongoing.
Left the road
Investigators said Eldridge’s pickup was traveling east on Highway 20 when it failed to negotiate a curve near Eaglemount Road, left the pavement, went over an embankment, struck a tree and rolled onto its side near Discovery Bay.
Marrowstone Island resident Reuben Lalish told Peninsula Daily News he was on his way home from 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn when he saw the crashed vehicle and stopped to offer assistance.
Lalish said that he was first on the scene and called 9-1-1 before he helped lower Eldridge to the ground.
“He he was somewhat standing on one leg, as he knew his hip was broken — he was holding himself up with his arms,” Lalish said.
“But he didn’t want to let go as he knew he’d just fall over, and I helped lower him to the ground long before the ambulances arrived.”
The pickup was tipped over on its passenger side with Syska-Patten seated closest the ground and the window.
She was conscious, but Bolling, who was on top of her, was not, Lalish said.
Winger said he did not know how many witnesses have come forward.
Lalish said that he had contacted State Police to submit a statement but has not yet received the paperwork to do so.
Initial reports stated that rescue personnel extracted all three occupants but those reports were incorrect, according to East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
