PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Healthcare Commissioner Charles E. “Chuck” Russell remains in satisfactory condition in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Tuesday after a Sept. 23 car crash where one person was killed and three people hospitalized.
“He’s in pain,” said his wife, Karen Russell.
“His left arm is broken and some of his ribs are broken.”
She said she didn’t know how long her husband would be hospitalized but that he intended to continue his campaign to be re-elected to a fourth term Nov. 3.
“He will not quit,” she said.
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 Friday 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 also airlifted to Harborview and is now listed in satisfactory condition.
Trooper Russ Winger, a State Patrol spokesman, said the investigation into the crash continues and that his agency “will probably go the subpoena route” for Russell’s medical records.
Investigators had not interviewed Russell as of Tuesday, Winger said.
It was determined at the scene that Russell had no drugs or alcohol in his system.
Karen Russell said her husband had no recollection of the wreck.
“No one knows what happened,” she said.
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 general election.
Kolff suspended his campaign the day after the crash but reactivated it Monday after talking to Russell.
“Since Chuck’s name will be on the ballot next month, I am now resuming my campaign,” Kolff said in an email statement.
“I wish him and his family all the best for a speedy and full recovery.”
Kolff said his motive in suspending his campaign was to give Russell an opportunity to recover.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
