CHIMACUM — Three people were taken to hospitals following a three-car collision on state Highway 19.
John Pontius, 33, of Chimacum was driving a 2022 Nissan Frontier northbound on Highway 19 at milepost 7 about 4:47 p.m. Monday when he stopped and attempted to make a left-hand turn, the State Patrol said.
Ervin Juan, 19, of Bremerton was behind Pontius in a 2008 Honda Civic when he swerved into the southbound lane and struck a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Charles Kahler, 72, of Puyallup, the State Patrol said.
Those two vehicles then struck Pontius’ Nissan Frontier in the southbound lane, the State Patrol said.
The Honda Civic and Chevy Silverado came to rest fully blocking the highway, and the Nissan Frontier came to rest in the northbound lane, the State Patrol said.
Juan was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He had been discharged by Tuesday morning, hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg said.
Kahler was transported by ambulance to Jefferson Healthcare hospital, the State Patrol said.
Pontius drove himself to Jefferson Healthcare, the agency added.
Juan was cited for distracted driving, said State Patrol, which added the cause was improper passing on the left.
All three drivers were wearing seatbelts. Neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.
The Honda Civic and the Chevy Silverado both were totally destroyed and towed from the scene, the State Patrol said. The Nissan Frontier had reportable damage and was driven from the scene, the agency added.
