Sequim: Fatal crash victims’ families endure first anniversary

SEQUIM — One year. 365 days.

That was the last time Barb Holden spoke to her daughter, Heather.

“It’s a bad day; an empty day. But I’m trying to get through it,” Holden said Wednesday from the Dungeness home she shares with husband Pete and son Josh Holden — Heather’s father and brother.

Heather Holden, 19, was killed in a single-car crash on New Year’s Eve 2002 along with 19-year-old Aaron Gambell and 22-year-old Paul Boynton.

“We’ve gone through all the firsts: all the holidays, (Heather’s) birthday; and now the first anniversary of her death,” Barb Holden said. “Hopefully now we can start to move on.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

For Beth Olmstead, Aaron Gambell’s mother, Wednesday was also poignant and painful.

“Today is doable, thanks only to friends and loved ones who have surrounded us,” the Sequim woman said.

Beth Olmstead and Aaron’s father, Harold Gambell, divorced recently but still share the bond of parenting Aaron, his 18-year-old brother, James David — and the agony of loss.

“I knew this first year was going to be rough, and it was,” Olmstead said.

“I’m hoping the second year will be calmer.”

———————

The rest of the story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News.

More in News

From left to right, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding students Krystol Pasecznyk and Scott McNair sand a Prothero Sloop with Sean Koomen, the school’s boat building program director. Koomen said the sanding would take one person a few days. He said the plan is to have 12 people sand it together, which will take a few hours. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden boatbuilding school building ‘Twin Boats’

Students using traditional and cold-moulding construction techniques

Prevailing wage by trade across multiple counties in Washington state.
Prevailing wages are driving up housing

Administrative burden may decrease competition

North Olympic Library System
Rendering of the new Sequim Library, which is currently under construction.
Library system board recognizes top donors

Naming opportunities still available

Port of Port Angeles approves roof rehab projects

McKinley Paper Company moves out of Marine Drive warehouse

Drug takeback day set across Peninsula on Saturday

Law enforcement agencies across the North Olympic Peninsula are poised to take… Continue reading

Public meeting set to meet administrator candidates

Jefferson County will host a public meeting at 5… Continue reading

Interfund loan to pay for Port Townsend meter replacement

City will repay over four years; work likely this winter

Artists to create murals for festival

Five pieces of art to be commissioned for downtown Port Angeles

Clallam assessor’s office to extend reduced hours

The Clallam County assessor’s office is continuing its reduction… Continue reading

Girders to be placed Thursday night

Contractor crews will place four 100-foot bridge girders over a… Continue reading

Cameras to check recycling contents in new program

Olympic Disposal will deploy a system of computerized cameras to… Continue reading

Port Angeles Fire Department responds to a residential structure fire on West 8th Street in Port Angeles. (Jay Cline)
Police: Woman arrested in arson investigation

Niece of displaced family allegedly said house was ‘possessed’