Bush Point burns

A fatal industrial accident, three vehicle accidents and a fight kept emergency workers on their toes throughout South Whidbey last week.

The work began Monday afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m. when Nichols Brothers Boat Builders employee William Dayton died in an apparent industrial accident at the boat yard. At approximately 7:40 p.m. the same day, a Ford Taurus and Ford Focus collided head-on at the intersection of Highway 525 and Bayview Road. Both drivers were taken to Whidbey General Hospital.

The names of the two drivers were unknown at deadline.

While at the accident scene, Island County Sheriff’s Deputy John Sawyers, had to make an arrest to break up an unrelated fist fight. In an incident report, Sawyers stated that he saw Freeland resident Dan Ray Weehunt, 54, run toward Mark Henny of Clinton at the Bayview Park & Ride. Sawyers said Weehunt hit Henny two or three times in the face. After stopping the fight and questioning the men, Sawyers arrested Weehunt for fourth degree assault and took him to Island County jail. Sawyers said Weehunt was later released on bail.

Jan Smith, Island County spokesperson, said Weehunt’s arraignment is scheduled for this week. The accident and fight were not related, Sawyers said.

On Friday at approximately 7 a.m., deputy Laura Price responded to an accident on Clinton’s Scatchet Head Road. In her report, she said a GMC truck driven by Clinton’s Ricky Lewellen, 20, skidded off the icy road and hit a tree. Lewellen refused medical treatment, Price said.

On Friday afternoon, a 2000 Chevy truck driven by Ronald East of Redmond struck a 1998 Ford Contour driven by Clinton resident Ann Medlock, said state trooper David Martin. Martin said Medlock was turning left into the South Whidbey Community Clinic from Highway 525. East didn’t see her and ran into her car, Martin said. Medlock was taken to Whidbey General Hospital for treatment and was later released.

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