PORT ANGELES — A Forks woman sustained injuries when she lost control of her vehicle on a slushy U.S. Highway 101 at Lake Sutherland and sideswiped a Clallam Transit bus in the opposing lane.
Wynter R. Lapin, 20, of Forks along with two passengers — an adult and a child — were transported to Olympic Medical Center on Monday. They were treated and released.
There were no injuries among the bus driver or five passengers on the bus, according to reports from the Washington State Patrol and Clallam Fire District No. 2.
It was one of several snow- and slush-related crashes on area roads Monday.
Lapin was driving her vehicle east on U.S. Highway 101 along the shore of Lake Sutherland at about 10 a.m. when she lost control in slush and crossed the centerline, sideswiping a westbound Clallam Transit bus, according to the State Patrol.
Lapin’s car was heavily damaged while the bus sustained damage to its left front quarter panel.
Lapin was wearing her seatbelt, and no drugs or alcohol were suspected, the State Patrol reported.
Because the weather was so bad, the occupants of Lapin’s vehicle sought shelter in a logging truck that stopped at the collision scene until emergency personnel arrived.
Lapin’s vehicle blocked the eastbound lane, and a Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy used a sheriff’s vehicle to push Lapin’s car out of the roadway and onto the shoulder.
The State Patrol recommended a citation for Lapin for driving too fast for the road conditions.
The State Patrol, Clallam County Fire 2 Rescue, Olympic Ambulance, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the Lower Elwha Police all responded to the scene.
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Sports editor Pierre LaBossiere can be reached by email at plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
