PORT ANGELES – Seven people were injured, including several small children, when two cars collided on Highway 112 near Salt Creek yesterday afternoon.

It happened about 5:30 pm, when State Patrol Troopers say Matthew Herz of Neah Bay swerved his eastbound Chevy Trailblazer on Highway 112 near the Salt Creek Bridge. He failed to slow for traffic that stopped in front of him.

Herz’s vehicle veered into the westbound lane. He tried to maneuver to the shoulder to avoid hitting an oncoming Ford Expedition. Those vehicles crashed blocking the road for nearly five hours.

Two five-year-old boys and a 10-year old girl in Herz’s vehicle were hurt. Two of the children were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the third was taken to Olympic Medical Center.  Herz, and passengers 31-year-old Tasha Moss of Port Angeles and 30-year-old Jade Williams of Neah Bay, were also hurt and taken to OMC.

The driver of the other SUV, 67- year-old William Lee of Port Angeles was also hurt and taken to OMC.

Herz is facing possible charges of vehicular assault, driving while license suspended and reckless endangerment.