A two-vehicle head-on collision in Port Ludlow sent two people to a Seattle hospital Monday. Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

A two-vehicle head-on collision in Port Ludlow sent two people to a Seattle hospital Monday. Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

Two recovering at Seattle hospital after Port Ludlow wreck

PORT LUDLOW — Two people were recovering at a Seattle hospital Tuesday after being seriously injured in a two-car head-on collision Monday afternoon.

Franz Gruber of Port Ludlow was in satisfactory condition and John Church of Everett was in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

At about 2:25 p.m. Monday, Gruber was driving a silver Toyota Camry northbound on Paradise Bay Road, just west of Timberton Drive, when the car crossed into the southbound lane and hit head-on a blue Mazda driven by Church, causing serious injuries to both drivers, said Deputy Kevin Denney of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Both drivers were flown to Harborview, Denney said.

He said he did not know their ages.

Denney said troopers continued to investigate Tuesday why Gruber crossed into the oncoming lane.

It was not yet known if drugs or alcohol contributed to the wreck, he said.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours Monday afternoon while Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies investigated.

________

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Increased police presence expected at Port Angeles High School on Friday

An increased police presence is expected at Port Angeles… Continue reading

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina’s 300-ton marine lift as workers use pressure washers to blast years of barnacles and other marine life off the hull. The tug was built for the U.S. Army at Peterson SB in Tacoma in 1944. Originally designated TP-133, it is currently named Island Champion after going through several owners since the army sold it in 1947. It is now owned by Debbie Wright of Everett, who uses it as a liveaboard. The all-wood tug is the last of its kind and could possibly be entered in the 2025 Wooden Boat Festival.(Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden wonder

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat… Continue reading

Mark Nichols.
Petition filed in murder case

Clallam asks appeals court to reconsider

A 35-year-old man was taken by Life Flight Network to Harborview Medical Center following a Coast Guard rescue on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles via Facebook)
Injured man rescued from remote Hoh Valley

Location requires precision 180-foot hoist

Kevin Russell, right, with his wife Niamh Prossor, after Russell was inducted into the Building Industry Association of Washington’s Hall of Fame in November.
Building association’s priorities advocate for housing

Port Angeles contractor inducted into BIAW hall of fame

Crew members from the USS Pomfret, including Lt. Jimmy Carter, who would go on to become the 39th president of the United States, visit the Elks Lodge in Port Angeles in October 1949. (Beegee Capos)
Former President Carter once visited Port Angeles

Former mayor recalls memories of Jimmy Carter

Thursday’s paper to be delivered Friday

Peninsula Daily News will have an electronic edition on… Continue reading

Counties agree on timber revenue

Recommendation goes to state association

Port of Port Angeles, tribe agree to land swap

Stormwater ponds critical for infrastructure upgrades

Poet Laureate Conner Bouchard-Roberts is exploring the overlap between poetry and civic discourse. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
PT poet laureate seeks new civic language

City library has hosted events for Bouchard-Roberts

Five taken to hospitals after three-car collision

Five people were taken to three separate hospitals following a… Continue reading

John Gatchet of Gardiner, left, and Mike Tabak of Vancouver, B.C., use their high-powered scopes to try to spot an Arctic loon. The recent Audubon Christmas Bird Count reported the sighting of the bird locally so these bird enthusiasts went to the base of Ediz Hook in search of the loon on Sunday afternoon. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Bird watchers

John Gatchet of Gardiner, left, and Mike Tabak of Vancouver, B.C., use… Continue reading