PORT ANGELES — Two Sequim residents in a pickup squashed by a dump truck Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 101 at Lake Crescent were treated and discharged from Olympic Medical Center.
A 68-year-old Sequim man whose pickup was involved in the three-vehicle collision remained late Thursday afternoon in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
James M. Murray was in serious but improving condition at Harborview, spokeswoman Susan Gregg said.
“The extent of injuries is quite amazing given what vehicle damage you see in the photos,” State Trooper Jessica E. Schob said Thursday in an email.
Dump truck driver Tingley Walker, 33, of Sedro-Woolley, and Maryann Beck and Arthur J. Beck were treated and discharged from OMC in Port Angeles, spokeswoman Bobby Beeman said.
The State Patrol said Maryann Beck, 64, the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup that was crushed by the dump truck, and her passenger, Arthur Beck, 82, were westbound on 101 shortly before 10 a.m. Monday.
Murray also was westbound in a Toyota Tacoma.
Walker, traveling eastbound near the La Poel picnic area, left the roadway to the right, over-corrected to the left, overturned, lost his load of rocks, sideswiped Murray’s Toyota, and came to rest on top of the Silverado, according to the State Patrol.
The Silverado was a “dually” pickup with dual wheels on the rear axle, Schob said.
Schob said the State Patrol initially alleged that Walker caused the crash by being inattentive and having his wheels off the roadway.
The agency is investigating the wreck and will submit a report and a charging recommendation to Olympic National Park officials, who will make a charging decision.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
