PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Healthcare Commissioner Charles E. “Chuck” Russell has recovered enough to be moved from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to the Port Townsend hospital.
After spending a week at Harborview, where he was initially in critical condition in the intensive care unit after a Sept. 23 wreck that killed a Bainbridge Island man, Russell was moved to Jefferson Healthcare on Thursday.
He is being treated in the physical rehabilitation wing for a broken left arm and several broken ribs.
“He is so grateful for all the support he is getting from people,” said fellow Commissioner Jill Buhler, who visited Russell on Friday.
“He is resting and he is healing.”
His condition was not available Friday.
According to police reports, Russell, 73, crashed his 2004 Honda Pilot head-on into a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Pamela J. Thresher, 53, of Suquamish, who was discharged Sept. 25 from Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.
Robert Dawson, 88, a passenger in the pickup, died at the scene.
Brett F. Dawson, 54, of Silverdale, the second passenger, was airlifted to Harborview and has been discharged, according to a hospital source.
Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman, said Thursday the investigation into the cause of the crash continues with no projected date for its completion.
Russell is serving his 18th year on the hospital commission and is running for a fourth six-year term against former Port Townsend Mayor Kees Kolff in the Nov. 3 general election.
Kolff suspended his campaign the day after the crash but reactivated it Monday after talking to Russell.
Russell’s wife, Karen Russell, with whom he owns and operates the Valley Tavern in Port Hadlock, said Russell would return to campaigning at a time that is yet to be decided.
