Wrecks underscore two highway dangers

"Photo: Paramedics and Fire Protection District 3 EMT's and firefighters remove Katheryn Lee of Clinton from the wreckage of her Ford Taurus Tuesday afternoon.Matt Johnson / staff photoAfter last week, the state should not need any more evidence to prove that the Highway 525 intersections at Thompson and Bayview roads need turn lanes and possibly stop lights.For the second time in two weeks, a local driver was rear-ended at high speed while waiting to make a turn from the highway on Thompson Rd. Robert Ladd, 67, of Freeland was about to make that turn from the north bound lane of the highway in his 1985 Cadillac at about 1:35 p.m. on March 3 when, according to the Washington State Highway Patrol, a 1985 Honda Accord driven by Lisa Tyree, 33, of Arlington struck Ladd's car from behind. Neither driver was seriously injured in the crash, nor was Ladd's passenger, Yvonne Ladd. Both cars sustained minor to moderate damage.On Tuesday, a more serious accident jeopardized the lives a 78-year-old woman and a 2-year-old toddler. While attempting to cross the highway westbound on Bayview Rd. in her 1990 Ford Taurus station wagon, Katheryn Lee, 78, of Clinton, was struck by a 2000 Jeep Cherokee traveling south bound on Highway 525, according to the Washington State Patrol.The Jeep, driven by 81-year-old Marjory Handey of Clinton, impacted the Taurus on the car's passenger side, pushing halfway into the interior. The force of the impact sent Lee's car about 50 feet up Bayview Rd. toward the Island Transit park and ride.The Jeep sustained only minor damage and its driver was able to walk away from the accident. However, Fire District 3 volunteers had to use the Jaws of Life to remove the driver's door from the Taurus before Lee could be moved onto a stretcher. Also removed from the car was 2-year-old Solveig Grace Lee-Jorgen. The boy was in a child seat on the passenger side of the car, and received a small cut on the temple from flying glass. Lee was transported to Whidbey General Hospital with leg contusions.Lee's Taurus was a total loss."

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