PORT TOWNSEND — A man who allegedly drove at speeds of up to 100 mph through uptown Port Townsend, crashed into a station wagon, then sped away in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am on Wednesday was charged Thursday.
Paul David Bromfield, 42, was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, reckless driving and hit-and-run injury accident.
He will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. today in Jefferson County Superior Court.
Superior Court Judge Keith Harper set Bromfield’s bail at $75,000.
Bromfield told investigators that his gas pedal was stuck and his brakes would not work as he drove recklessly through the populated area at about 1 p.m., Port Townsend Police Detective Luke Bogues said.
Dozens witnessed the black car that Bromfield was driving collide with a Volvo station wagon near the Uptown Theatre, then accelerate eastbound on Lawrence Street, Bogues said.
“The speed limit on the road is 25 mph, but witnesses reported to police the car was traveling anywhere from 60 to 100 mph and even became airborne at a bump in the road,” Bogues said in a Thursday news release.
Onlookers said Bromfield drove in the wrong lane, narrowly avoided other collisions and ran the Tyler Street stop sign near Aldrich’s Market and the Port Townsend Community Center, Bogues said.
Minor injuries
An 18-year-old Port Townsend woman suffered minor injuries when Bromfield crashed into her 1992 station wagon in front of the movie theater.
The woman had turned the Volvo to avoid a head-on collision with Bromfield, who was driving in the wrong lane.
“Because of her quick thinking to turn the steering wheel, Bromfield hit the rear of the Volvo instead of head-on,” Bogues said.
Police were later directed to the area of Garfield and Jackson streets, where motorists had boxed in the Pontiac.
Bromfield reportedly fled on foot.
He was arrested in the backyard of his residence near Chetzemoka Park.
Couldn’t control car
According to the probable-cause statement, Bromfield told police he lost the ability to control the vehicle he had recently purchased.
“He said he was yelling as the vehicle was driving uncontrolled,” Bogues wrote in the incident report.
“He recalled hitting someone while in the wrong lane. Paul said he was just able to control the vehicle enough to park it at the intersection near his house.”
Bromfield told police he didn’t have a phone to report the incident and “didn’t think to come outside and approach the police or tow truck” as the car was being impounded, court papers said.
Bromfield was taken to Jefferson Healthcare hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into the Jefferson County jail for investigation of reckless driving, reckless endangerment and hit-and-run injury.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who saw the collision or speeding car is asked to email Bogues at lbogues@cityofpt.us.
All witnesses are asked to provide their full name, date of birth, address and phone number.
Handwritten statements can be made at the Police Department at Mountain View Commons.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
