Serious five-vehicle crash at Kitsap and National in Bremerton

BREMERTON – Three people were injured, one seriously, during a high-speed nighttime five-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kitsap Way and National Avenue at 9:06 p.m. Nov. 6.

By Chris Tucker • November 7, 2015 2:11 am

Tags: Bremerton

This story has been updated to match the print edition.

BREMERTON — One man was killed in a high-speed, nighttime, five-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kitsap Way and National Avenue Nov. 6.

Gian King, 18, a passenger in the car that was struck, passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, at Harborview Medical Center.

According to the Bremerton Police Department, a sleepy driver was likely the cause of the crash.

According to BPD, the crash began as a white 1990s-era Honda Accord occupied by King and two other people was stopped at the light and waiting to turn.

The adult female driver of another vehicle, a red Kia sedan, approached from behind, northbound on National, coming down the hill at a high rate of speed. According to the BPD, the woman had likely fallen asleep, causing the vehicle to roll along the sidewalk on the east side of National Avenue.

The Kia then slammed into the right rear of the stopped Honda, causing extensive damage and pushing it into the roadway on Kitsap Way.

As a result of the collision, the Kia and Honda then struck three other vehicles.

The Kia then struck the curb on the north side of Kitsap Way and “tripped,” causing it to roll. It came to rest on its roof next to the Vape on the Beach store located north of Kitsap Way.

The Honda was a mangled mess of twisted metal in the center of the intersection. The newer model Kia appeared to have less damage, with airbags deployed. Three other vehicles at the intersection appeared to have minimal to moderate damage.

The driver of the Kia had an infant in her car at the time of the collision. The infant was in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat and was uninjured.

King was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. Two other people in the Honda, as well as the driver of the Kia, were transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for non-life-threatening injuries.

Speed was clearly a factor in the collision. Bremerton Police and Fire were assisted by the Washington State Patrol and Central Kitsap Fire. The intersection was closed for more than two hours and traffic was diverted to side streets as responders worked at the scene.

Dozens of people stood nearby to watch the rescue personnel work.

The investigation into the causes of the crash is still ongoing, but the female driver of the red Kia told investigators that she “likely fell asleep” at the time of the crash, according to a press release from Bremerton Police. The driver said she has a newborn at home, causing her sleep to be chronically interrupted over the past several days.

According to the press release, the Kia traveled along the sidewalk on the east side of National well before the crash occurred, and there was no indication of any attempt to correct the vehicle, which is consistent with the driver being asleep. There is no indication of alcohol or drug use involved in the incident.

A barista at the Kitsap and National Starbucks, who was working that night, said he heard a sound like a “shotgun.” He said he did not recall hearing the screeching of brakes.

The staff at the Vape on the Beach store were not in the building that night. They said the flipped car came within eight inches of hitting their building. Shrubs outside the building were struck, however.

When the investigation is complete the case will be forwarded to the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office, and it will be their decision whether criminal charges would be appropriate, according to the press release.

Coincidentally, the crash occurred during Drowsy Driving Prevention Week in Washington state, which was declared by the governor in an effort to discourage residents from driving while tired.

Police and firefighters work at the scene of a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of Kitsap Way and National Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 2015.