GARDINER — A three-vehicle collision involving a school bus, a semitruck and a passenger car Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 101 resulted in one minor injury, with no children hurt.
The collision 11 miles southeast of Port Townsend blocked the southbound lane for a little more than an hour. Traffic was cleared by 9:30 a.m. after the 8:12 a.m. crash, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Delores L. Briggs, 79, of Port Angeles suffered neck and back pain, the State Patrol said.
She was treated at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and discharged, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The five children on the bus were uninjured and taken to school in another vehicle; the driver of the truck also was not hurt, said State Patrol Trooper D.L. Merritt, who was on the scene.
The State Patrol gave this account:
A Port Townsend School District bus driven by Colleen Jensen, 54, of Port Townsend had pulled over on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near Old Gardiner Road to pick up children.
The bus’ yellow lights were flashing, but its stop paddle was not deployed.
Briggs stopped her 2004 Chrysler Town and Country van in the roadway behind the bus.
A 1995 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by John Melsheimer, 57, of Sequim hit Briggs’ car from behind, pushing it into the back of the bus.
Merritt said both drivers will be cited, Briggs for improper stopping and Melsheimer for following too close.
All three drivers were wearing safety belts.
The 2010 Bluebird school bus was driven to Chimacum for inspection and repairs, Merritt said.
The semi was inspected by the State Patrol and was driven away from the scene.
The State Patrol reported that the road was wet at the time of the collision.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie. bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
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