Three injured in collision on U.S. Highway 101 near Blyn

Three people were injured Saturday, May 8, in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 101 in Blyn, the State Patrol said.

Melissa E. Clayton, 35, of Valdez, Alaska, was turning eastbound onto the highway from the Blyn rest area when the Volkswagen Jetta she was driving was struck by a Chevrolet Astro van driven by Robert J. Blanchard, 70, of Quilcene, the State Patrol said.

Blanchard was traveling westbound on the highway before the crash, which occurred at about 5:22 p.m., troopers said.

Clayton, Blanchard and Clayton’s passenger, Andrew C. Gilbertson, 28, of Port Orchard, were each transported to Olympic Medical Center, according to the State Patrol.

Blanchard remained in the Port Angeles hospital in satisfactory condition Sunday afternoon, an OMC nursing supervisor said. Clayton and Gilbertson were each treated and released.

Troopers said Clayton was charged with failure to yield, failure to wear a seat belt and third-degree driving with a suspended licence.

Gilbertson also was not wearing a seat belt, troopers said. Blanchard was wearing a seat belt, the State Patrol memo said.

Drugs or alcohol were not believed to be involved in the wreck, troopers said.

The eastbound lane of the highway was blocked from 5:29 p.m. to 6:09 p.m., the state Department of Transportation said.