Port Angeles, WA — A woman from Sequim was injured yesterday evening (Thursday, February 12, 2015) in the Port Angeles area after her car crashed into some stray debris that fell from a flatbed truck. The woman was later identified as 53-year old Wendy Schultz.
This accident happened at about 5:00 p.m. along Highway 101 near Morse Creek, where the highway forms an “S” curve. Police said that a flatbed truck was transporting some concrete siding boards (known as lap siding) that evening when he lost some of the boards in the westbound lanes as he navigated the curves in the highway.
His load went into the eastbound lanes, where Wendy Schultz’ oncoming Volkswagen crashed into it. The accident caused Mrs. Schultz injuries and she had to be taken via airlift to a nearby hospital. Her condition hasn’t been updated since yesterday, though.
The State Patrol mentioned that the truck driver, 35-year old Julian Lamarche, might be facing charges for losing his load, which was allegedly unsecured.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
One report I read went so far as to say that the equipment holding the cargo to the flatbed was defective and had broken. If that’s the case, then I think the investigation here shouldn’t just focus on the truck driver, but the person who loaded the truck. Further, the company this driver was working for should also have to answer why cargo on their truck spilled onto a major highway. In short, it seems possible that it’s not just the truck driver who was involved here, but potentially other parties as well.
— Grossman Law Offices
