MASON COUNTY, Wash. — Two people are dead and a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper is injured after a crash in Mason County on Saturday, according to law enforcement.
The collision took place just after 2:30 p.m. on Highway 101 at Taylor Towne milepost 352, according to the WSP. Taylor Towne is approximately six miles south of Shelton, Wash.
The trooper was driving southbound on the highway while responding to another incident when a car turned off of Southeast Lynch Road onto the highway and the trooper struck the car, said Mason County Deputy Sheriff Matt Colbenson.
The two victims have been identified as Charles Ferree, 72, and Deolia Blandford 49, both of Ollala, Washington, according to the Mason County Coroner's Office. Blandford's family said she and Ferree were friends and hiking buddies.
The trooper was taken to the hospital as a precaution and suffered minor injuries, WSP said.
Officials said no one else was in the car. The Mason County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is investigating the specifics of the crash and if speed was a possible cause.
“Our condolences to the family," Colbenson said. "This is an unfortunate event."
Heather Knight owns the Taylor Station, a restaurant and lounge right at the intersection where the wreck happened. Knight said she had just stepped out onto the patio when the crash happened.
"I just heard the loudest squealing tires," Knight said. "The impact was so loud. It almost shook the building. As soon as I saw that car, I knew those people were dead.”
Knight said she and her employees started getting calls and texts after the crash happened. Their friends and family were worried.
“I’ve been here a long time and that’s the worst one I’ve ever seen," Knight said. "Never seen one that bad. It was terrible."
According to numbers from the Washington State Department of Transportation, at least 37 crashes have happened at or near the intersection in 2015. Knight hopes this latest crash spurs change.
“I don’t understand how many people have to die in an intersection before they do something," Knight said. “I’ve been saying for many years, the simplest solution they could do out there is put up a traffic light.”
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.