PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend man was cited for driving under the influence after causing a three-car collision that closed state Highway 20 in both directions near Fairmont Hill for more than two hours.
Traffic was backed up to at least U.S. Highway 101 after the wreck at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, said Trooper Chelsea Hodgson, State Patrol public information officer, who did not know how far back traffic was stopped in the other direction.
Highway 20 is the major route into and out of Port Townsend.
Adam K. Cole, 38, was cited for DUI and for speeding after he caused the collision Wednesday that totally destroyed his Toyota 4-Runner and two other vehicles, the State Patrol said.
Cole was taken to Jefferson Healthcare hospital for minor injuries. He was briefly seen in the emergency department but left before he saw a physician, said Amy Yaley, Jefferson Healthcare spokesperson.
Cole was driving eastbound on Highway 20 near Fairmont Hill Road (near milepost .08) when he lost control, spun and entered the westbound lane, according to the State Patrol.
Cole first struck a Toyota Tundra driven by Brinnon resident Charles Poindexter, 51, then continued forward and struck a Dodge Journey that was driven by Sequim resident Michael Holbert, 40, totally destroying all three vehicles, according to the State Patrol.
Neither Poindexter nor Holbert were injured.
The vehicles were removed from the scene by Northwest Towing and Recovery.
The road was closed at the collision location in both directions for more than two hours, according to the Jefferson County Emergency Management alerts that were sent Wednesday night.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5 or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
