CARLSBORG — A Carlsborg woman was killed Thursday morning while attempting to cross U.S. Highway 101.
Karen M. Wesolowski, 69, was attempting to cross the westbound lanes near Milepost 261.5 — just west of Mill Road — at 9:30 a.m. when she stepped in front of a white 1997 GMC pickup truck driven by 33-year-old Jason Beaudette of Port Angeles, the State Patrol said.
She lived at the Parkwood mobile home park across the highway to the north.
“This is a very quiet lady and a very sweet lady who was always trying to help her neighbors,” said Jon Gibson, whose family owns and operates the mobile home park.
Wesolowski was struck while traveling from north to south after getting off a bus, troopers said, and was declared dead at the scene.
No citations were issued and “no charges are anticipated,” said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
An emergency helicopter flight was initially called, but that request was canceled after information she had died became available.
“It is not illegal to cross here but inadvisable,” Winger said.
When Wesolowski was struck, she was carrying her cat in a carrier, he added.
“There is a controlled intersection about a quarter-mile away, but she lives in [the] area and is older, so [she] crosses there at least weekly to take her cat for care.”
The cat “was apparently OK and was taken to the local shelter,” Winger noted.
State Patrol troopers and emergency personnel with Clallam County Fire District No. 3 blocked all westbound lanes beginning at 9:38 a.m. while investigators gathered evidence.
Westbound traffic was diverted through nearby surface streets until one lane was reopened later in the day.
Altogether, the roadway was partially blocked for 3½ hours.
Beaudette remained on scene following the collision and spoke with investigators, the State Patrol said.
Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.
The investigation was continuing Thursday.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
