Guemes Island crash sends five to hospital

A 20-year-old Anacortes woman was listed in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Monday following an accident late Friday, July 4 on Guemes Island. Four other Anacortes youth were injured in the accident.

Whitney Schultz was a passenger in a 1990 Ford Mustang that Travis Bird, 18, was driving southbound on Guemes Island Road just before midnight, according to the Washington State Patrol. He lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree in the 7400 block.

Bird, Jenna Williamson, 20, Ian Reeves, 19, and Lisa Pfeffer, 20, were all transported to Island Hospital. Schultz was airlifted to Harborview.

According to Island Hospital, Bird was kept overnight and released. Williamson, Reeves and Pfeffer were treated and released.

The driver was the only one wearing a seat belt, according to the State Patrol. The cause of the accident is still under investigation but drugs or alcohol are suspected to have been a factor. Charges are pending.


Firewood rekindles, causes truck fire

Used firewood in the back of a pickup truck caused a vehicle fire Sunday at Highway 20 and Miller Road.

The late model Dodge Ram truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer caught fire around 1 p.m., said Anacortes Fire Chief Richard Curtis. Both vehicles are owned by an Anacortes man. Two engines were dispatched along with a medic unit.

Kevin Noyes, Skagit County deputy fire marshal, said the fire started because the man put used firewood in the back of his truck on top of unused wood. The fire rekindled while he was driving. Noyes said there were two cans of diesel fuel in the back of the truck as well.

Firefighters heard explosions while dousing the flames. Noyes said that could have been caused by the fuel.

The Anacortes Fire Department used about 1,200 gallons of water and foam to extinguish the fire. It was assisted by District 11.

Curtis said there were no injuries. Damage is estimated at more than $10,000.