Port Angeles driver, 81, hits worker, truck, bulkhead departing ferry

KINGSTON — A Port Angeles driver hit a ferry worker — injuring him slightly — a truck and the side of the Puyallup ferry while driving off the ship from Edmonds at the Kingston terminal Wednesday, the State Patrol said.

Both Estill Cornett, 81, and his passenger, Reba Cornett, 78, also of Port Angeles were taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for treatment.

Estill Cornett, who had injuries to the right forearm and facial cuts, was listed in good condition Wednesday night, while Reba Cornett was treated for a sore chest and knees and was discharged, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Randy Miles, 56, who was directing traffic as it drove off the ferry, was treated for knee and rib injuries and a sore head at Harrison hospital and then was discharged, the spokeswoman said.

The State Patrol gave this account:

Cornett was driving a 1998 Oldsmobile off the ferry at about 1:25 p.m. when Miles directed him to stop and gestured for Leon Falk, 52, of Poulsbo to proceed off the ferry.

Cornett accelerated, hitting Miles before veering right to hit Falk’s 2005 International flatbed truck, and then grazing the starboard wall — or bulkhead — of the ferry.

The ferry was held up for about two hours while the car was removed. The 1:40 p.m. sailing from Kingston and the 2:20 p.m. from Edmonds were canceled because of the wreck.

Estill Cornett was cited for unsafe vehicle movement from a parked position, State Patrol said.

Cornett’s Oldsmob ile was destroyed.

Falk’s flatbed suffered an estimated $2,500 in damage, the State Patrol said, and was driven from the scene.

The ferry had minor scratches from the crash, the State Patrol said.

All of those in cars were wearing seat belts, and neither drugs nor alcohol factored in the crash, the State Patrol said.

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