PORT ANGELES — A truck lost its load Thursday afternoon, injuring one motorist and blocking east and west lanes of U.S. Highway 101 about 3 miles east of Port Angeles, the State Patrol said.
Troopers gave this account:
Wendy B. Schultz, 53, of Sequim was in a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta in eastbound lane two of the Morris Creek curve of Highway 101 at about 5:20 p.m. when a strap broke that secured a large load of HardiPlank composite siding on a 1991 Chevrolet flatbed truck.
The truck, driven by Julian V. LaMarche, 35, of Port Angeles, was in the curve’s westbound lane two.
The siding fell off on the driver’s side and broke apart in the eastbound lanes. The debris was struck by Schultz’s car. She was taken to Olympic Medical Hospital. There was no immediate report of her condition. Her damaged car was towed away.
Emergency personnel at the scene said other cars also hit the debris. The highway closure caused long backups of traffic for 90 minutes.
The wreck was caused by defective equipment, the State Patrol said, and LaMarche was cited for an unsecured load. He was not injured.
No drugs or alcohol were involved in the wreck, troopers added.
