He really did put himself and other people in danger.”

Chris Ashcraft, Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor

A Port Townsend man who caused a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 101 near Discovery Bay that left two people injured in March was sentenced to three months of detention via electronic home monitoring Friday in Jefferson County Superior Court.

Mark Anthony Raney, 64, changed his pleading to guilty on a felony charge of vehicular assault in July, and admitted to driving while under the influence of prescription drugs.

During his sentencing hearing Aug. 27, Raney expressed deep remorse for the March 12 crash.

“It was never my intent that day to hurt anybody. I think about it every day; about the injuries I caused,” Raney said.

“I take full responsibility. And I don’t know what I else to say,” he said as he stood before the judge.

“I apologize. I meant no harm,” Raney added. “And I’m willing to take whatever punishment I get.”

According to the Washington State Patrol, Raney was driving south on Highway 101 when his 2002 Ford Explorer crossed the centerline and hit a 2000 Kia Sportage driven by a 51-year-old Silverdale man.

Both vehicles were totaled, and the Kia driver and his passenger, a 46-year-old Silverdale woman, were taken to Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center. 

A witness who had been driving behind Raney said he first noticed the Ford Explorer when it was on East Washington Street in Sequim and was going 15 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The witness told the State Patrol he had stayed on the highway past the turnoff to his house to follow the Explorer “because its driving was that bad.”

When the witness stopped at the crash site, a passenger in his vehicle got out and took the keys from Raney because it appeared he was going to drive away.

Raney told police just after the collision that he had reached down to pick up some candy when he looked up and crossed the centerline of US 101.

In a victim impact statement presented to the court, the two occupants of the Kia recounted how the crash had changed their lives.

The driver’s work to become a crane operator was stalled due to left elbow injuries and numbness in his fingers.

The pair said they still have aches and pains from the crash, as well as anxiety.

“The fear of being hit in a vehicle head-on and of our mortality is continuously on my mind,” the passenger wrote.

“This accident has increased our stress level due to the financial hardship it is creating for us with all of the ambulance, doctor, and hospital bills constantly coming in,” the couple added.

Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Chris Ashcraft said Raney did not have a history of felony convictions, and recommended a sentence at the bottom of the three- to nine-month standard range.

“He really did put himself and other people in danger,” Ashcraft said.

He also recommended 18 months of community custody, and noted Raney’s cooperation during his court case.

“I know that Mark feels really bad about what happened,” added Richard Davies, his attorney.

Davies added that Raney had admitted his guilt, even though a blood test was entered into evidence from the crash. Raney had admitted to using prescription medication before the crash for severe back pain.

“It’s lucky these victims lived,” Superior Court Judge Keith Harper said before announcing Raney’s sentence.

The judge added that Raney had been under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the collision.

“I guess that’s a little bit better than just having gone out and shot up with some illegal drugs,” Harper said, or getting drunk, and then driving.

The judge adopted the prosecution’s recommendation, which also included a drug-and-alcohol evaluation and $600 in fines and fees. The issue of restitution will be decided later.

The two Silverdale residents who were hurt in the crash were at Friday’s sentencing hearing.

After Harper imposed the three-month sentence, with seven days credited for time already served, Raney turned to the couple and apologized again.

“I’m sorry for the pain I caused you,” he said

“I just want you to know I think about you every day. I want you to know I’m sorry,” Raney said.