PORT TOWNSEND — A man who died of injuries sustained in a Saturday wreck would forgive the driver, said the mother of Gregory W. Bolling on Wednesday.
The State Patrol is investigating the 1:20 a.m. wreck on state Highway 20 to consider seeking vehicular homicide charges against Taylour J. Eldridge, 25, of Port Townsend, according to Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
Bolling, 23, died of his injuries from the wreck near Eaglemount Road, the State Patrol reported Tuesday.
The State Patrol said speed was the cause of the wreck and that drugs or alcohol were involved.
“There is a lot of negative talk going on right now about Taylour,” said Michelle West, who owns and operates Evergreen Fitness Center in Port Townsend.
“But my son was the kindest, most generous and forgiving person, and he would never blame Taylour; he would forgive him.”
Forgiveness was also urged by Chimacum High School Principal Whitney Meissner, who knew Bolling when he was a student.
“In the wake of an incident like this, I think it’s important to focus on the positive, the friendships he fostered, the goals he achieved, the family he loved,” she said.
“This is a devastating loss. Greg’s life was just beginning. He leaves a void that memories can’t fill.
“Yet we can all learn from this and should refrain from judging anyone but ourselves.”
Bolling was a passenger in a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Eldridge when the eastbound truck failed to negotiate a curve, went over an embankment, crashed into a tree and rolled near Discovery Bay, the State Patrol said.
Bolling was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Eldridge, 25, is listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview.
Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman, said Eldridge could face a vehicular homicide charge if the State Patrol decides to seek it.
Eldridge has not been arrested and is not under guard at the hospital.
Winger said “it could take weeks” to finish the investigation and file charges, which would also depend on reports about the second passenger’s injuries.
Amelia R. Syska-Patten, 20, of Port Townsend, who was seated closest to the passenger door, also was airlifted to Harborview. She has been treated and discharged.
West said her son’s generosity extends beyond his death and that his organ donor status could give many other people the gift of life.
“The doctors told us that with all of Greg’s donations, more than 100 people could be helped,” West said.
“It’s wonderful that he can give the gift of sight to someone who has not ever seen before.”
After the wreck, Eldridge was helped out of the truck by a passer-by while Bolling, who was unconscious, had fallen on top of Syska-Patten, officers said.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue personnel extracted Bolling and Syska-Patten.
Bolling was born May 24, 1991, in Alaska to West and Doug Bolling, now of Port Hadlock.
The family, which also included an older brother, Brian, moved to Washington state when Bolling was 1 year old.
He graduated from Chimacum High School in 2009 and was listed on the Peninsula College honor roll for the 2014 spring and winter quarters.
West said Bolling was on hiatus from a seasonal job working in an Alaskan fish processing plant at the time of his death.
“He was a jack of all trades,” West said.
“When he was hired, his boss thought he’d just be sweeping floors, but it turned out there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix.
“My son wasn’t just a good man,” West said.
“It was his faith and beliefs as a Christian man that encouraged him to be the loving, joyful, patient, kind, humble, generous and forgiving young man that he was.”
Services are pending. Bolling will be cremated, West said.
Bolling was involved in cat rescue, so West has requested that those who choose to do so make donations in his name to the Jefferson County Humane Society (www.hsjcwa.org) or Center Valley Animal Rescue in Quilcene (www.centervalleyanimalrescue.org).
Additionally, the family has established a scholarship fund that will benefit a deserving Chimacum High student.
Donations can be made out to the Gregory Bolling Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed to Evergreen Fitness, 22 Tahlequah Lane, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
