PORT ANGELES — A woman involved in Friday’s alleged drag race and crash has had her case referred to the Clallam County prosecuting attorney’s office for investigation of a hit and run, but a man who was also believed to be involved remains unidentified, Port Angeles police said Monday afternoon.
“The good news is it doesn’t appear like anyone was injured,” said Cpl. Sean Ryan of the Port Angeles Police Department on Sunday.
The woman was interviewed by the Sequim Police Department but not booked into jail, Ryan said.
“The woman left scene and turned herself in later,” Port Angeles Police Sgt. Dave Arand said Monday. “The other driver has not been identified yet. Once (the woman) is charged, her name will be released.”
The incident was reported at 7 p.m. Friday when the vehicle crashed at the McKinley Paper Mill, 2650 W. Marine Drive.
The car was “significantly damaged,” Sgt. Kevin Miller of PAPD said Saturday.
According to witnesses, the car and truck were racing side-by-side down Ediz Hook before entering the work site of the paper mill traveling an estimated 50 mph.
The speed limit through the mill is 15 mph.
The car rolled about 10 feet from a scale shack where a woman was working, Miller and Ryan said. In addition, a man who had just gotten off work was walking to his car in the parking lot when the vehicles passed within 20 feet of him, Ryan said.
Witnesses told police that, after the car rolled, they saw a woman leave the car and climb into the truck.
The car hit a tree on the mill property, Ryan said, explaining the hit and run recommended charge.
“If you get in a collision, stay at the scene,” he said. “A lot of people get nervous and think they’re going to get in trouble, but leaving the scene of a collision is in itself a crime.”
He also said mill workers have an ongoing issue with people speeding through the work site and asked that anyone driving to and from Ediz Hook to slow down while traveling through the mill.
Ryan said Sgt. Carolee Edwards of the Sequim Police Department interviewed the suspected woman driver.
“We’re very, very grateful for her help,” he said.
