COUNTY BRIEFS

Two injured in SR3 crash

A two-car crash resulted in two people injured Monday on state Route 3 in Belfair.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, a 2019 Chevy Cruze driven by an 85-year-old Neah Bay woman was southbound on Route 3 and a 2021 Winnebago driven by a 65-year-old Missoula man was northbound on Route 3.

Southbound traffic was stopped for a car trying to make a left turn, and the Chevy failed to yield for traffic and swerved into the northbound lane, striking the Winnebago.

The 85-year-old Neah Bay woman and a 75-year-old Neah Bay man in the passenger seat were both injured. The woman was transported to St. Michael’s Medical Center in Silverdale and the man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The Missoula man was not injured in the accident. The road was partially blocked for five hours.

Man with gun kills driver

A 68-year-old University Place man was killed by a 26-year-old Burien man in what the State Patrol called a road rage incident July 24 in Gorst. 

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, both men were reported to be driving aggressively westbound on state Route 16 at Mullenix Road, and both cars stopped at the Custom Hearth Fireplace parking lot in Gorst. The Burien man exited the car with a gun and the University Place man exited the car with a bat. The Burien man shot the University Place man in the head before fleeing the scene. The man was captured on Lake Flora Road near state Route 3. 

The University Place man was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma before his death. The next of kin was notified. The Burien man was charged with first-degree assault. 

Deer Creek Road fire

Central Mason Fire & EMS responded to a possible brush fire Monday evening off Deer Creek Road just north of Shelton.

According to a news release, the fire was reported just after 8 p.m. and the crews arrived on scene in less than five minutes and reported smoke and visible fire. The fire was on Green Diamond land and crews had a difficult time accessing the fire. Crews from CMFE along with help from the state Department of Natural Resources worked to contain the fire to just three acres in size.

DNR crews remained on scene overnight and into Tuesday to monitor and ensure the fire is fully extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Downtown vehicle fire

Central Mason Fire & EMS responded to a car on fire near a building on Cedar Street on Monday in downtown Shelton. 

According to a news release, the fire was reported at 10:30 a.m. and CMFE arrived to the scene within a minute to find a small vehicle on fire a few feet from the back of a building.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread. The cause of the fire is under investigation.