A Washington State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer conducting a traffic stop was struck by the impaired driver of a stolen pickup truck on U.S. Highway 101 near Discovery Bay Tuesday morning.
55-year-old Officer Alfred Alderson was completing the inspection of a semi-truck on the shoulder of southbound US 101 in the area of milepost 283 when he struck from behind by a white 2005 Ford F350 driven by 40-year-old David Johnson, of Sequim.
Witnesses reported seeing Johnson driving erratically southbound on U.S. 101, including passing vehicles in a no-passing zone prior to going off the roadway to the right, onto the shoulder and into the back of Officer Alderson’s fully marked 2015 Ford F150 patrol vehicle.
Johnson was unbelted at the time of the collision.
Alderson was seated inside his Ford F150 with emergency lights activated when he was struck. He had completed his inspection and was unbelted, about to exit the vehicle. The impact of the stolen vehicle pushed CVEO Alderson’s patrol vehicle into the semi during the collision.
Both Johnson and Alderson were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment. Johnson was placed into custody for suspicion of Vehicular Assault.
The Ford F350 Johnson was driving was previously reported stolen to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.