Washington – A 39-year-old man from Allyn, Washington, was killed Thursday evening in a devastating two-vehicle collision on the Hood Canal Bridge, a vital link between Kitsap and Jefferson counties. The crash, which occurred around 5 p.m. on November 7, shut down the bridge for nearly five hours, halting regional traffic and disrupting local events.
According to a Washington State Patrol (WSP) incident report, the victim was a passenger in a 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 28-year-old woman from Bremerton. Investigators say the vehicle was heading east when the driver attempted a U-turn near the middle of the bridge — a move that caused the Tacoma to cross the centerline into westbound traffic. It was then struck by a 2015 Mercedes, driven by an 83-year-old man from Port Ludlow.
First responders pronounced the 39-year-old passenger dead at the scene. The two drivers were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries. Both vehicles were totaled, and debris from the collision blocked the highway, forcing authorities to close the bridge in both directions as crews worked to clear the wreckage and conduct their investigation.
Authorities have not released the names of those involved, and WSP officials confirmed that criminal charges, as well as potential involvement of alcohol or drugs, remain under investigation.
The Hood Canal Bridge, which carries State Route 104, sees an average of 18,000 vehicles crossing daily, according to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) data. Thursday’s closure caused ripple effects across the region — including the postponement of a district playoff soccer match on Bainbridge Island after Port Angeles players were unable to reach Kitsap County. The game was rescheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.
Following the crash, District 8 Public Information Officer Katherine Weatherwax reiterated a familiar message as winter approaches: “We’re urging all drivers to slow down, give space, and stay focused behind the wheel. Even small mistakes can have devastating consequences, especially on bridges and highways.”
For residents of the Olympic Peninsula, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the risks on one of the region’s most heavily traveled—and weather-sensitive—corridors.
