Pepper Fisher

Port Angeles – There were fortunately no life-threatening injuries Tuesday in another violent collision along the Morse Creek section of Highway 101 east of Port Angeles.

It was just after noon today when the driver of a white van attempted to make a left-hand turn off of Cottonwood into the westbound lanes of Highway 101 and was struck on the driver’s side by a car traveling in the eastbound lanes. The force of the impact spun the white van into the westbound lanes and the car blocking eastbound lanes.

The van’s fuel tank had ruptured and was leaking gasoline, and the highway was reduced to one lane of travel both directions with intermittent stops for over an hour.

Both drivers were transported to OMC for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) design team has posted an illustration (click here) of the planned safety improvements at the Morse Creek section of Highway 101 east of Port Angeles. WSDOT spokesperson Christina Werner says construction is expected to begin in spring of 2021. They expect to have it completed by the end of summer.