QUILCENE — Two Port Angeles residents were reported in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Tuesday after their car reportedly hit a culvert, flew into the air and landed on another vehicle waiting at a stop sign.
Barry G. Fruchter, 74, and Amber Rose, 75, were hurt in the 2:43 p.m. Monday wreck. The driver of the other car — Troy E. Walker, 52, of Quilcene — was injured but not transported to a hospital, according to the State Patrol in a memo issued Tuesday.
Fruchter’s Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 101 when it crossed the centerline. Fruchter over-corrected and drove into a ditch, where the car hit a culvert, became airborne and crashed onto Walker’s Ford Transit, which was stopped at a stop sign on Leland Valley Road, according to the State Patrol.
The Toyota then rolled off the Ford and landed in a ditch on its top.
Drugs or alcohol were involved, according to troopers, who cited Furchter for lane travel.
The highway was fully blocked in both directions until 3:54 p.m., when it was opened to single-lane alternating traffic until 6:37 p.m., when both lanes were reopened, according to the state Department of Transportation.
All three were wearing seat belts.
Both cars were completely destroyed, according to the State Patrol.
