SEQUIM — A Port Angeles man faces a probable charge of vehicular homicide following a fatal head-on collision in Sequim late Wednesday afternoon that blocked U.S. Highway 101 traffic in both directions for four hours, Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols said.
Driver Lou M. Galgano, 27, of Port Angeles, died at the scene following the crash at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday east of River Road on the two-lane route.
Driver John Ronald Sutton, 25, of Port Angeles, registered a 0.124 on a portable breathalyzer test 84 minutes later, according to a State Patrol probable cause statement.
The legal limit is 0.08.
Nichols said at a court hearing Thursday that Sutton likely will be charged with vehicular homicide, a Class A felony, at a court hearing at 1 p.m. Monday.
Sutton was eastbound on Highway 101 in a 2001 Mazda Tribute SUV when he crossed the center line and struck Galgano’s westbound 2003 Ford Focus compact head-on, according to a State Patrol press memo.
The speed limit where the collision occurred is 55 mph. The State Patrol did not report Sutton’s speed.
Sutton was booked into the Clallam County jail Wednesday night.
Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour set $25,000 for Sutton, 25, at his first Superior Court appearance Thursday.
Nichols had asked for $250,000 bail “based largely on the nature of the offense,” he said.
Sutton refused medical attention, according to a State Patrol press memo.
Matthew Phillips, the arresting State Patrol officer, said he smelled alcohol on Sutton’s breath before administering the field sobriety test.
“Sutton admitted to only taking DayQuil at 8 a.m.,” according to the probable cause statement.
Bruising to Sutton’s left arm and shoulder were consistent with being in the driver’s seat, according to the probable cause statement.
In setting bail, Coughenour said his primary considerations were Sutton’s ability to appear in court and whether he is a flight risk.
Coughenour said he was not aware of any significant criminal history. Sutton has a 2018 failure-to-appear.
Sutton will be required to wear a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring bracelet that detects the presence of alcohol in sweat to ensure he does not drink alcohol.
He also cannot drive unless the vehicle is equipped with a car breathalyzer interlock device.
________
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
