Discovery Bay: Sequim woman dies in crash that spills diesel fuel on U.S. 101

DISCOVERY BAY — A Sequim woman was killed and her husband injured Wednesday when their car and a semi-truck collided in a crash that blocked U.S. Highway 101 for more than four hours.

The collision caused the semi to spill about 150 gallons of diesel oil on the busy highway, but little of the fuel ran into the bay, authorities said.

State Patrol troopers said Doreen F. Sonnenfeld, 73, driver of a 2000 Subaru Legacy, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her 78-year-old husband, Delbert J. Sonnenfeld, was extricated from the car and flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

He was listed in satisfactory condition Wednesday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Troopers said the Sonnenfelds were traveling southbound on Highway 101 about 8 a.m. when the empty semi — driven by Michael J. Rutkowski, 33, of Lake Stevens and heading in the opposite direction — apparently crossed the centerline and struck the car.

The Subaru was pushed into an embankment along the highway shoulder, according to State Patrol investigators.

More in News

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive just each of the intersection with Hill Street on Monday. City of Port Angeles crews responded and restored power quickly. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Downed trees

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive… Continue reading

Photographers John Gussman, left, and Becky Stinnett contributed their work to Clallam Transit System’s four wrapped buses that feature wildlife and landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. The project was created to promote tourism and celebrate the beauty of the area. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Iconic Peninsula images wrap Clallam Transit buses

Photographers’ scenes encompass community pride

Housing identified as a top priority

Childcare infrastructure another Clallam concern

Giant ornaments will be lit during the Festival of Trees opening ceremony, scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. (Olympic Medical Center Foundation)
Opening ceremony set for Festival of Trees

‘White Christmas’ to be performed in English, S’Klallam

Olympia oyster project receives more funding

Discovery Bay substrate to receive more shells

Code Enforcement Officer Derek Miller, left, watches Detective Trevor Dropp operate a DJI Matrice 30T drone  outside the Port Angeles Police Department. (Port Angeles Police Department)
Drones serve as multi-purpose tools for law enforcement

Agencies use equipment for many tasks, including search and rescue

Sequim Heritage House was built from 1922-24 by Angus Hay, former owner of the Sequim Press, and the home has had five owners in its 100 years of existence. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim’s Heritage House celebrates centennial

Owner hosts open house with family, friends

Haller Foundation awards $350K in grants

More than 50 groups recently received funding from a… Continue reading

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

The land-based demolition range at Bentinck Island will be… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Jefferson County lodging tax committee to meet

The Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will discuss… Continue reading

Restrictions lifted on left-turns near Hood Canal bridge

The state Department of Transportation lifted left-turn restrictions from… Continue reading