PORT ANGELES – Black ice and freezing fog spun three vehicles off U.S. Highway 101 near Indian Valley within 45 minutes of each other early Thursday morning.
One rolled, one crashed down an embankment and a third smashed into a guardrail near Indian Valley about 15 miles west of Port Angeles, said State Patrol Trooper M.C. DuFour.
None of the vehicles crashed into another, and no serious injuries were reported among the drivers, none of whom traveled with passengers.
“There was no alcohol involved, and everyone involved was wearing their seat belts,” DuFour said.
Yet, he added, “They are all clearly driver errors,” although he had not determined on Thursday who will be cited or for what kinds of violations.
Gary R. Hordochuk of Port Angeles, driving a 1989 Volvo station wagon west on the highway, tried to pass another vehicle, lost control on black ice and rolled his car, DuFour said.
Elena V. McKee of Port Angeles, who was driving a 2000 Ford Escape east on the highway, began to slow as she approached Hordochuk’s car and lost control.
Her car pitched off the highway and down an embankment.
Randi K. Jones of Port Angeles, also driving east in a Ford Explorer, saw McKee’s vehicle leave the road, began to slow, and crashed into a guardrail, DuFour said.
Hordochuk was taken to Olympic Medical Center where he was treated and discharged.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 personnel arrived soon after the first vehicle went off the road and were present while the next two wrecks occurred, said Fire Chief Jon Bugher.
The State Patrol said that Hordochuk’s vehicle was destroyed, and it was towed away from the wreck.
Both of the other vehicles could be driven after the wrecks, DuFour said.
The airbags inflated in McKee’s Ford Escape, but she had no major injuries and didn’t need to be taken to a hospital, the trooper said.
Black ice is not black. It is transparent, allowing the asphalt to be seen through it, and is usually very slick, so it surprises drivers who suddenly lose traction, especially when they brake on it.
