BRINNON — A 54-year-old Brinnon man died in a wreck 8 miles north of Shelton when he swerved to avoid a stopped vehicle and collided with a car traveling in the opposite direction.

Monty D. Mesick died at the scene of the 5:50 p.m. Tuesday wreck, the State Patrol said.

“He was a kind, caring man,” said Nicole Black of Brinnon, who knew Mesick.

“He volunteered every week at the food bank and was an avid musician who was a founding member of the Brinnon Music Group.”

Mesick was traveling north on U.S. Highway 101 in a silver 2005 Hyundai Accent when he came up behind a vehicle that was attempting to make a left turn onto Anthony Road, the State Patrol said.

Troopers said Mesick steered into the southbound lane and collided with a white 1995 Chevrolet K1500 pickup truck driven by Timothy Royce Harris, 52, of Redmond.

Harris was listed Wednesday in stable condition at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.

Mesick’s remains are in the custody of the Mason County Coroner’s Office, which conducted an autopsy Wednesday afternoon, according to coroner Wes Stockwell.

The cause of death was determined to be multiple internal injuries caused by blunt trauma.

Information about Mesick’s family was not available Wednesday.

Black said Mesick’s dog, Heidi, was in the car at the time of the wreck and ran off.

Mesick’s body will be released to the McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home in Shelton, Stockwell said.

A State Police report said the cause of the wreck was unsafe passing on Mesick’s part. Both drivers wore seat belts.