Jefferson County, Wash. — A westbound car crossed the center line on State Route 104 just before 7 p.m. Tuesday and slammed directly into an eastbound Jefferson Transit bus in a crash that killed a 17‑year‑old from Poulsbo. The collision also involved a second westbound vehicle, and left several people shaken and hurt.
The driver of the first vehicle, identified as 17‑year‑old A. Pelilu Wines of Poulsbo, was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers with the Washington State Patrol say Wines’ vehicle drifted over the line and hit the bus head‑on, pushing the already tense moment into tragedy. The impact was so forceful that a second vehicle behind Wines then struck the bus as well.
A third driver, 41‑year‑old Christopher Fiorini of Sequim, and his passenger, 68‑year‑old Elizabeth Fiorini, were taken to Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend with injuries. The driver of the Jefferson Transit bus, 62‑year‑old Michael Berrett of Port Townsend, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. A passenger on the bus was not hurt.
Local law enforcement closed SR 104 for hours as crews cleared the wreckage and began their investigation. Officials have not said whether drugs or alcohol were factors, and the cause of the crash remains unknown as troopers continue to dig into the events that led up to the deadly collision.
Friends and family of Wines have described the teen as full of promise, with plans and potential cut off far too soon. The tragedy has rippled through the small Jefferson County communities, where people are trying to make sense of a sudden loss that has shaken them.
The Jefferson Transit Authority expressed sorrow over the collision, noting that the bus was on a routine route and that passengers generally rely on these services to connect them across the county. Emergency responders praised bystanders and first responders who acted quickly after the crash.
Officials urge drivers to be cautious on two‑lane stretches like SR 104, especially near the Hood Canal Bridge where traffic can be unpredictable. Investigators continue to piece together the final moments before the crash, hoping to bring answers to the grieving community.
