DISCOVERY BAY — A sport utility vehicle carrying visitors from Utah apparently crossed the centerline of U.S. Highway 101 and collided head-on with another car south of here Monday morning, state troopers said.
Although both vehicles were destroyed — the SUV on its roof — most of the occupants escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash occurred at about 10:10 a.m. between Mileposts 284 and 285 near Uncas, almost at the point where U.S. 101 meets state Highway 104, the road to the Hood Canal Bridge.
The collision occurred when the 2002 Ford Escape driven by John Downs, 62, of Roy, Utah, veered across the centerline and struck a 1991 Honda Accord driven by Emmanuel Nuez, 34, of Seattle.
Downs was traveling with his wife, Lorrie, 58, and their children, Brandon, 10, and Wyatt, 11.
Nuez was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with a compound fracture to the left arm.
John Downs had lacerations to both arms and his left leg.
He and his family were taken to Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend.
No other injuries
The other members of the Downs family had no physical injuries, according to the State Patrol.
Troopers said all drivers and passengers were wearing their seat belts, which probably allowed them to avoid worse injuries.
Eyewitness Joe Martinez, who was driving a semi truck behind the Nuez car said the oncoming Escape veered into the opposite lane, crashed with the Accord and flipped over.
Martinez approached the wreck to find the children wandering around the wreckage.
“The kid was wandering around asking about his dad,” Martinez said.
“I think he was in shock.”
Upside down
Martinez found John Downs hanging upside down in the SUV, held in by his seat belt.
“I asked him if he was OK and whether he wanted me to help him get out of the car,” Martinez said.
“He said he was fine, so I unbuckled him and helped him through the window.
Martinez said he was aware of the advice that accident victims should not be moved, which is why he sought repeated assurances from the driver.
Two medical helicopters landed at the junction of Highway 101 and state Highway 104 to the north.
Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez said he received initial reports that more than two vehicles were involved in the crash.
The two vehicles came to rest on the north side of the road about 50 feet apart, with a trail of debris in between.
The Escape contained items such as clothes, books, games and two bicycles that were strewn around the vehicle.
State Trooper Grant Clark said an investigation was under way and a citation could be issued.
Traffic was backed up for several miles in both directions of U.S. 101 as well as where Highway 104 heads east toward the Hood Canal Bridge.
After the 9-1-1 call, it took about four minutes for Discovery Bay Fire District No. 5 units to arrive on the scene, according to Deputy Chief Willie Knoepfle.
Crews from East Jefferson Fire-Rescue, Quilcene and Port Ludlow arrived shortly afterward, joining Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies and the State Patrol.
Highway 101 through-traffic was restored about 11:20 a.m.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.