PORT ORCHARD — Air bags and seat belts likely saved the lives of two drivers involved in a three-car collision Thursday morning (Aug. 31) on Highway 166, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Russ Winger said indications are that one of the drivers, a 45-year-old Port Orchard woman, was under the influence of alcohol while at the wheel of her 1999 Lincoln Navigator. The woman’s vehicle reportedly crossed the highway’s center line as she was heading east on Highway 166 at about 8:20 a.m., and sideswiped a 1998 BMW 528 sedan driving westbound. The BMW’s 29-year old male driver was not injured, Winger said.

A third vehicle, a 1998 Honda Prelude driven by a 23-year-old woman from Minnesota, was driving behind the BMW when the collision occurred. The woman was injured when her vehicle was subsequently hit head-on by the Navigator. The woman was transported to Tacoma General Hospital.

The driver of the Navigator also was injured and taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.

The accident closed SR 166 for about three and one-half hours Thursday morning. Winger said the driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol is being investigated by Washington State Patrol on suspicion of vehicular assault.