OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK– A Bainbridge Island man made an initial appearance in federal court Monday on potential charges of vehicular assault, while the driver of the other vehicle underwent surgery at a Seattle hospital.
Bruce Hebner, 56, of Bainbridge Island was arrested Saturday night on investigation of vehicular assault with alcohol involved.
Because the two-pickup-truck wreck happened in Olympic National Park, his case will be heard in federal court.
His arraignment date wasn’t available Monday night.
Antoinette Barragan, 49, of Forks underwent surgery Monday and remained in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a hospital nursing supervisor said.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2, which responded to the wreck about 4 miles west of Barnes Point on U.S. Highway 101, said Barragan suffered multiple broken bones and “system injuries.”
Olympic National Park gave this account:
Hebner was driving his Dodge Ram 1500 pickup east on Highway 101 the truck crossed the centerline and hit head-on a Ford Ranger headed westbound and driven by Barragan.
The Ram overturned and came to rest upside down in the eastbound lane of the highway.
Hebner was able to get out of the pickup on his own.
Barragan’s 13-year-old son, who was a passenger in the Ranger, was able to get out of the pickup on his own, but Barragan was extricated by Fire District No. 2.
Barragan was taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center, then flown to Harborview Medical Center.
Her son stayed with family in the area and did not appear to be injured, the State Patrol said.
The son was not identified by any of the agencies involved.
