PORT ANGELES — Midday traffic on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles was blocked in both directions for about an hour Monday following a four-vehicle chain reaction of collisions near South Shore Road.
Four people in one of the vehicles were transported to Olympic Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries such as cuts and bruises, a State Patrol spokesman said.
There were no other injuries.
An employee of Granny’s Cafe on Highway 101 said traffic was backed up in front of the restaurant, located about 2 miles east of South Shore Road.
The collisions began at about 12:30 p.m. Monday after the 70-year-old Port Angeles driver of a 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup stopped at eastbound Highway 101 at South Shore Road 13 miles west of Port Angeles to make a legal left turn.
The 45-year-old Bluffton, S.C., driver of a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban stopped behind him.
The 36-year-old Seattle driver of a 2013 Toyota Camry braked behind the Chevy driver.
The Camry driver was struck by the 27-year-old McKeesport, Pa., driver of a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup, causing the chain reaction, the State Patrol said.
The three passengers were 32, 66 and 67 years old.
The Camry was totaled, the State Patrol said.
The three other vehicles were driven from the scene.
A charge for following too closely is pending against the driver of the Dodge Ram pickup, according to a State Patrol report.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
