Two peninsula residents were transported to Olympic Medical Center after a two-vehicle crash about nine miles west of Port Angeles at about 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a 1990 Mitsubishi pickup driven by 31-year-old Jeffrey C. Fitzgerald of Port Angeles was traveling eastbound on US Highway 101 between Indian Valley and Lake Sutherland near Hillstrom Road when his vehicle started to slip on the icy road and crossed the center line.

Fitzgerald’s truck struck a 2014 Dodge pickup driven by 57-year-old John D. Devine of Sequim.Both were injured and transported to OMC, the state patrol reports.

Firefighters from Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue (Port Angeles) coordinated with Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Transportation who brought de-icing and salt trucks to the scene to prevent further accidents.

The roadway was closed for about three hours while Washington State Patrol conducted an investigation.

Firefighters urge drivers to slow down and drive with due regard in areas where icy road conditions may be present. In addition, driving with headlamps on is encouraged on cloudy, foggy, wet days. According to firefighters, the use of headlamps, even during daylight hours, increases visibility of a vehicle to other drivers by as much as half-mile which may help prevent a crash.