PORT TOWNSEND — The first major traffic mishap to occur in the new roundabouts had nothing to do with their construction or design.
At 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Daniel Young of Port Townsend was heading east on McPherson Street when his brakes failed and he could not stop.
Rather than shoot out onto Sims Way, he made a sharp left turn into Fifth Street, which provides access to Vintage Hardware, but was still unable to stop.
The truck jumped the curb and became airborne before landing on the retaining wall that borders the south side, where Thomas Street enters the roundabout.
Young, 53, was able to maneuver the truck between a panel truck that is being used to display a campaign sign and the ornate fountain outside Vintage’s front door.
“I think he made the right choice,” said Vintage Hardware owner Ken Kelly.
“If he went out onto Sims Way, he could have gotten T-boned or T-boned someone else.
“This could have happened to anybody.”
Young, who was not injured, did “a really good job” handling the out-of-control car, said Port Townsend Officer Bill Corrigan, who nevertheless cited Young for inadequate equipment.
Young told police that he was driving the 1969 Chevrolet truck because his other vehicles were out of commission.
Emergency personnel used a tow truck to lift the truck off the wall and set it on the ground with the intention to drive it onto the road.
It became stuck in the dirt, so three people pushed it out of the dirt and onto the road, after which it was towed to a garage for repair.
Young said he was upset about his truck, “but I am glad no one got hurt.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie. bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
