PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend woman remained in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Saturday after a two-truck collision Friday afternoon at milepost 7 on state Highway 19.
Susan G. Short, 66, of Port Townsend was extricated from the Mitsubishi box truck she was driving and was airlifted to Harborview after the 12:23 p.m. wreck on the roadway also known as Beaver Valley Road, the State Patrol said. A hospital spokesperson said she remained in critical condition Saturday.
The two occupants of the other box truck — driver Daryl Meland, 39, and passenger Jermaine Hornbeak, 37, both of Port Orchard — were not injured, the State Patrol said.
The two box trucks were traveling south on Highway 19 when one truck struck the other, which was stopped to make a left hand turn, in the rear, said Patrica Willestoft, East Jefferson Fire Rescue spokeswoman.
The State Patrol reported that the impact pushed the engine compartment of the truck that rear-ended the first truck into the cab, causing serious injury to its driver, Short.
Highway 19 was at least partially blocked for three hours and 40 minutes, troopers said.
State Patrol troopers are investigating. No charges had been filed by Saturday.
The wreck destroyed Short’s vehicle. Meland’s truck was driven from the scene of the collision.
In addition to East Jefferson Fire Rescue and the State Patrol, Port Ludlow Fire Rescue, Naval Magazine Base Indian Island and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also arrived to assist.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jmcmacken@peninsuladialynews.com
