PORT TOWNSEND — A passenger in a Saturday wreck on state Highway 20 has died, the State Patrol said Tuesday.
Gregory W. Bolling, 23, of Port Townsend died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the State Patrol in a memo issued at 5:40 p.m.
That will increase the charge that the State Patrol will seek against driver Taylour J. Eldridge, 25, also of Port Townsend, the agency said.
The State Patrol said in its memo that it will seek felony vehicular assault and homicide charges against Eldridge.
Before Bolling’s death, the agency was seeking a felony vehicular assault charge against the driver, saying that speed was the cause of the wreck and that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Eldridge was listed in satisfactory condition at Haborview on Monday.
The other passenger in the car, Amelia R. Syska-Patten, 20, of Port Townsend has been treated and discharged.
Bolling was listed on the Peninsula College honor roll for the 2014 spring and winter quarters.
Investigators said Eldridge’s 2006 Chevrolet pickup was traveling east on Highway 20 when it failed to negotiate a curve near Eaglemount Road, left the pavement, went over an embankment, struck a tree and rolled onto its side near Discovery Bay at 1:20 a.m. Saturday.
All three were trapped inside the car until East Jefferson Fire-Rescue personnel were able to get them out.
Several helicopters from Airlift Northwest landed at an improvised zone at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 104 to fly the injured to Seattle, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman.
Firefighters from Jefferson County Fire District No. 5, Quilcene, Port Ludlow and Clallam County Fire District No. 3 also responded.
Witnesses of the crash are asked to contact Detective Joi Haner at 360-473-0147.
