PORT ANGELES — The woman who allegedly caused a head-on wreck west of Port Angeles on Wednesday was listed in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Thursday.
Rachelle E. Grasso, 26, of Port Angeles was in surgery at the Seattle hospital a day after the crash on U.S. Highway 101 just east of Laird Road.
“She’ll be going back to the intensive care unit following surgery,” Harborview spokeswoman Susan Gregg said.
The State Patrol said the Toyota pickup truck Grasso was driving crossed the centerline and collided with a Nissan Altima driven by Chandra M. Johnson, 23, also of Port Angeles.
Johnson was listed in stable condition at Olympic Medical Center on Thursday.
The pickup was headed east along a straight section of the highway when it crossed the dividing line and collided with the passenger car at 10:18 a.m., the State Patrol said.
Charges pending
Drugs or alcohol were involved, and charges are pending, troopers said.
The wreck blocked both lanes of the highway near Milepost 243 until the state Department of Transportation opened the road to alternating traffic at about 11:30 a.m.
The roadway remained partially blocked until 3:12 p.m., Transportation officials said.
Wearing seat belts
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, troopers said.
There were no other occupants in either vehicle.
The impact of the crash separated the cab of the 1990 pickup from its bed. The windshield of the 2001 Nissan was shattered, and its driver’s-side airbag was deployed.
Both vehicles came to a rest in the westbound side of the highway pointed to the east.
The mangled vehicles were taken to a State Patrol yard.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 responded with two medical units, two command vehicles and 14 personnel, district Chief Sam Phillips said.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles police, Elwha police and U.S. Border Patrol assisted with traffic control.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
