PORT ANGELES — A Sequim teenager was released without bail from the Clallam County jail Monday pending charges connected to a weekend wreck that critically injured two other Clallam County teens.
Elijah R. Sanford, 18, was ordered to return to Clallam County Superior Court at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 to face charges that may include two counts of vehicular assault and one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and possession 40 grams or less of marijuana, said John Troberg, Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney, on Monday.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reported that in addition to the pending alcohol charge, marijuana use also was a likely factor in the wreck.
Cailey R. Stipe, 15, of Sequim, and Garrett Payton, 19, of Port Angeles were injured at 1:45 a.m. Sunday when a Volkswagen Golf driven by Sanford left the road while eastbound on Heuhslein Road in the unincorporated area between Port Angeles and Sequim, Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Hollis said.
Stipe was a passenger and was ejected from the vehicle when it overturned and came to a rest nearly 100 yards from the point it left the road, Hollis said.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that she had internal injuries and was taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles before being flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Harborview did not return phone messages Monday for an update on Stipe’s condition.
Hollis said Sunday that Harborview listed her in serious condition, and she was in surgery.
Payton, the other passenger, was treated at Olympic Medical Center and taken to Harborview via ambulance.
A Harborview spokesman said Payton was in surgery Monday and was listed in serious condition.
Sanford suffered minor injuries from the wreck, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
