PORT ANGELES — A Forks woman was injured in a near-head-on wreck Sunday evening after she was blinded by the setting sun.
At about 6:34 p.m., Michelle Wallace, 31, was driving westbound on U.S. Highway 101 approaching the state Highway 117 overpass in Port Angeles with three passengers, an adult male and two children, said Port Angeles Police Officer Brian Stamon.
A car in front of Wallace pulled to the right and onto the shoulder, and Wallace attempted to move her 1995 Ford Escort wagon left to avoid passing too closely to the car, Stamon said.
The sun was low over the road, and according to witnesses, it was difficult for westbound traffic to see the road.
With the sun in her eyes, Wallace was unable to see that she had crossed into the oncoming lane, Stamon said.
Stamon said that Port Angeles resident Jordan Johnson, 23, was driving a 1998 Ford Ranger eastbound on Highway 101 and was in the lane as Wallace crossed the centerline.
The two cars collided in a near-head-on wreck, with damage to the front end of both vehicles on the driver sides, Stamon said.
“The Ranger skidded 200 feet and sheared off the driver side front tire,” he said.
He said the cars came to rest with 100 yards separating them.
Four Port Angeles Police units and the Port Angeles Fire Department responded to the wreck.
Wallace was transported to Olympic Medical Center.
She was treated and released, said Bobby Beeman, hospital spokeswoman.
No other injuries were reported.
From 6:40 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., traffic was diverted from Highway 101 to state Highway 117 during the response and investigation.
Wallace was cited for failing to drive on the right side of the road, Stamon said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
