PORT TOWNSEND — Two vehicle wrecks during a 57-minute period Saturday in Jefferson County resulted in minor injuries to Sequim and Olympia residents.
The injured include a 90-year-old man who was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with minor injuries.
The first collision occurred at 2:47 p.m. about 6 miles west of the Hood Canal Bridge on state Highway 104, according to State Patrol reports.
Eugene E. Becker, 65, of Sequim was driving a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup westbound, passing traffic going in the same direction in the westbound merge lane, when he continued into the oncoming eastbound lane, according to the report.
Becker struck a 2014 Chevy Express van being driven eastbound by Nathan B. Osborn, 32, of Sequim.
Osborn was transported to Olympic Medical Center with minor injuries, Trooper Mark Hodgson said Sunday.
The cause of the crash was unsafe passing and speeding, according to the report.
Becker, who was not injured, was charged with negligent driving.
Both vehicles were totalled.
The second crash, a one-vehicle wreck, occurred at 3:50 p.m. about 7 miles south of Quilcene, injuring two passengers.
Wreck on 101
Driver Hue Nguyen, 60, of Olympia was driving a 1995 Jeep Cherokee southbound on U.S. Highway 101, according to the State Patrol report.
Her vehicle started spinning while going through an S-curve, sliding across the northbound lane and striking a lane barrier before stopping back in the southbound lane.
Passenger Diana Pham, 69, of Olympia was transported to Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend. She was treated and released, a spokeswoman said.
Passenger Tien Q. Dao, 90, of Olympia was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
He was discharged Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Ngyuen’s damaged vehicle was towed from the site.
The cause of the wreck was speeding too fast for conditions, according to the State Patrol report. Charges are pending against Nguyen.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
