By Pepper Fisher

The Washington State Patrol reported around noon Friday that a multi-vehicle collision involving a dump truck had slowed traffic along SR 104 (to and from the Hood Canal Bridge) in Jefferson County. Two people were airlifted from the scene.

Both lanes were blocked at the State Route 104/19 intersection “with possible entrapment,” according to Trooper Katherine Weatherwax. We got an on-the-scene update at 3:00  from Trooper Weatherwax, who said both lanes were still blocked.

“So, we have all the tows on scene. The biggest issue we’re having is getting that dump truck out from down the embankment there. So, once we get that out, and I can see the tail end of it, it should be only like an hour or so to just clear all the other cars. But we do have detours in place. If they go up State Route 19 North to Oak Bay and then go down Paradise Bay, it’ll add like 15 minutes. But it’s better than sitting in traffic.”

Weatherwax said the crash will likely result in charges for one driver.”

“Yeah so, it is going to be a vehicular assault. The causing driver, I guess he’s going to be forwarded charges for DUI, possible DUI. And yeah, he has a broken leg, and then another passenger in one of the vehicles has a broken pelvis. So yeah, we’re definitely looking at vehicular assault charges.”

Detectives and DOT officials were on the scene.

(JCSO photo)