Sequim-area teens were hospitalized after an early morning collision with a tree on Feb. 29 in Gardiner.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol reports that the driver and passengers ages 17-19 were traveling around 12:40 a.m. Thursday morning on the 400 block of Rondelay Road and were unable to navigate a corner and struck a tree.
Det. Sgt. Brett Anglin with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the tree went about 18 inches into the engine area.
Clallam County Fire District 3 reports a backseat passenger (later confirmed to be Maddison Marler, 18) was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. The driver — a minor — and two passengers — 19-year-old Kaitlyn Wandel and another minor, sustained various injuries from the collision and were all transported to Olympic Medical Center.
Harborview Medical Center reports both Marler and Wandel are in “satisfactory” condition, according to the nursing supervisor, as of March 5.
The status of the two minors is unknown, as state agencies do not release condition updates for minors.
Anglin said the driver had a blood draw done for a Driving Under in the Influence (DUI) analysis at OMC. He said the sheriff’s office forwarded a DUI and vehicular assault charges to Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, with the assault charge forwarded as policy any time someone is hurt in an alleged DUI incident.
The other teens were not tested for alcohol, he said. (Per policy, the Sequim Gazette also does not name minors involved in alleged criminal activity.)
Trooper Katherine Weatherwax with Washington State Patrol said the driver appeared to be wearing a seatbelt but it’s unknown if the three passengers had them on.
Anglin said the driver stated their mother owned the vehicle, and that deputies smelled intoxicants from the vehicle.
Family and friends have set up Gofundme accounts for the four young women to assist with medical and other miscellaneous expenses:
• gofundme.com/f/maddisons-emergency-fund
• gofundme.com/f/cherish-is-fighting-for-her-life-at-harborview
