By Chris McDaniel
Peninsula Daily News
PORT TOWNSEND — A woman was airlifted to a Seattle hospital Monday morning after she was hurt in a three-car collision on U.S. Highway 101 at Discovery Bay .
Laurel S. Thompson, 45, of Port Ludlow was listed in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center on Monday afternoon after the 6:19 a.m. wreck at Milepost 281, said Trooper Russel Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
He said she had sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Hector D. Baylon, 19, of Sequim was driving a 2003 Chevy Impala northbound when he crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed into a 2002 Ford Focus being driven southbound by Thompson, Winger said.
“Baylon crossed the center line in a curve, and Thompson attempted to avoid the collision by steering into the southbound shoulder,” he said.
“But she wasn’t able to get out of the way, and they basically hit in the southbound lane.”
Following the initial collision, a 1993 Chevrolet truck driven by Darrin M. Liggins, 44, of Sequim then struck the Focus.
“We are investigating this as a DUI, vehicular assault . . . due to the injuries and what we believe was impairment on the part of the driver,” Winger said.
“We do believe he was intoxicated.”
A blood screen is pending, Winger said.
“There are going to be charges pending, most likely, but those are yet to be [determined].”
Baylon was transported to Jefferson Healthcare hospital with ankle injuries and was contacted there by a trooper, Winger said.
Baylon was treated and discharged from Jefferson Healthcare hospital, Winger added.
Liggins was transported to Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, Winger said.
The wreck remains under investigation.
A detour at the scene of the collision was in place from 12:51 p.m. until 1:47 p.m. while detectives investigated, Winger said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsula
dailynews.com.
