PORT TOWNSEND — A suspected drunken driver failed to negotiate a curve and overturned the car he was driving, partly blocking the main road between U.S. Highway 101 and Port Townsend on Monday morning.
The State Patrol identified the driver as 47-year-old Jeffrey Ellis, who first was spotted driving erratically on Highway 101 before turning left toward Port Townsend on state Highway 20, Trooper Russ Winger said Monday afternoon.
The 2000 Kia sedan that Ellis was driving negotiated the winding, two-lane Highway 20 for about 3 miles at excessive speed, according to Department of Transportation and civilian witnesses, Winger said.
Finally at Milepost 3 just north of the Eaglemount Road intersection, the car failed to negotiate a curve and rolled over to the right.
Ellis reportedly was taken to Jefferson General hospital, treated and released to officers.
One-way alternating traffic continued on Highway 20 for about an hour after the 10:38 a.m. rollover.
Winger said Ellis, whose town of residence was not reported, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
