Near Shelton, Washington, on April 6, a collision on Highway 101 involving a Washington State Patrol vehicle resulted in the death of two local citizens. The accident took place on a bright afternoon as the state trooper, responding to a car fire emergency with activated sirens and lights, crossed the path of a Toyota Prius at an intersection.
The deceased, identified as Charles Ferree, 72, and Deolia Blandford, 49, were residents of Olalla, Washington. They were declared dead at the crash site. The trooper involved, whose identity has been withheld due to investigation procedures, was transported to a local hospital for precautionary measures despite not suffering significant injuries.
“The trooper was responding southbound with emergency protocols in effect when the unfortunate collision occurred at the intersection,” explained Deputy Matt Colbenson from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, outlining the circumstances leading to the fatal incident. Eyewitnesses at the scene stated that the Prius was making a left turn across the traffic lanes when it collided with the patrol car.
The intersection, notorious among locals for its dense traffic and intricate navigation, has been the site of previous accidents. It has sparked ongoing discussions within the community about road safety and the need for improved traffic regulations. Following the accident, Highway 101 was shut down for multiple hours, causing significant traffic delays into the evening. Motorists were advised by local authorities to use alternate routes.
The investigation of the accident is being led by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, with the state patrol participating minimally due to the involvement of their staff member. A representative for the Washington State Patrol expressed their condolences in a brief statement but refrained from further comments until the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
Local resident and eyewitness, Michael Johnston, expressed his grief over the incident: “It’s heartbreaking to see such a tragic event in our community. My thoughts are with the families of those lost.”
This unfortunate incident has reignited community debates about the effectiveness of current emergency response protocols and the design of road intersections to prevent similar accidents in the future.
