A single-vehicle fatality resulted in total and partial closures of Highway 101 in Brinnon for several hours on the afternoon of Friday, July 5.

The Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management sent out a notification, shortly before 1:20 p.m. that day, noting that Highway 101 in Brinnon, approximately two miles south of Duckabush Road, at the intersection of McDonald Cove, was closed in both directions, due to a motor vehicle accident.

The accident, which the Washington State Patrol logged as taking place shortly after 12:30 p.m., involved a 64-year-old Port Angeles driver, Leroy S. Perfect, who was traveling southbound on Highway 101, when he attempted to pass in the northbound lane at approximately Milepost 312.

Perfect’s vehicle, a 2019 Dodge Ram, struck the guardrail and continued in the southbound lane, before losing control, leaving the roadway to the left, and coming to rest in the ditch on the northbound side.

Although Perfect was wearing his seatbelt, he did not survive.

Next-of-kin were notified, and the totaled vehicle was towed from the scene.

Shortly before 2:30 p.m. that day, Highway 101 was opened to alternating-lane traffic at the accident site, and by shortly before 5:50 p.m., Highway 101 was completely reopened.