Pipe bomb found at deadly crash scene; driver held

BREMERTON, Wash. - The driver of a pickup that started a deadly chain-reaction pileup Thursday morning near Bremerton has been arrested after a pipe bomb was found in his vehicle.

The five-vehicle crash left one person dead and shut down Highway 3 west of Bremerton at about 7 a.m. The Washington State Patrol was about to reopen the highway at about noon when the pipe bomb was discovered in the pickup.

(Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Sun)

The scene was immediately evacuated, and a bomb squad robot was brought in to retrieve the potentially deadly explosive device.

The highway, which is the main route between Bremerton and Mason County, remained closed as of 3 p.m., and officials said it may not reopen until 5 or 6 p.m.

Officials said the driver of the pickup that started the crash, 21-year-old Cole Satran of Belfair, was first taken to the hospital and checked out, then arrested for investigation of possessing an explosive device. He was being held at the Kitsap County Jail.

Washington State Patrol troopers said the crash near the Bremerton National Airport involved a semi truck and four other vehicles, including a small Mitsubishi Eclipse that was pinned beneath the semi truck.

(Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Sun)

The single occupant of the Mitsubishi was trapped there for about two hours, until a tow truck could pull the semi off. The victim was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for observation.

The person who died, 42-year-old Thomas Gamblin of Belfair, was in burgundy-colored Yukon SUV.

Washington State Patrol troopers said the tragic accident started when the 21-year-old man crossed the center line in his small pickup and hit the semi head on. The pickup rolled several times, but the driver was not seriously hurt.

The semi-truck, which was carrying a load of drywall, twisted into the oncoming lane and hit the Yukon SUV head on. The driver of the Yukon died at the scene.

The semi then rolled over and landed on the Mitsubishi Eclipse, crushing it and trapping the driver for about two hours.

Another truck that was behind the Eclipse ran into the back of the wreckage, but its occupants weren't seriously hurt.

As officials were investigating the accident, they discovered the pipe bomb in the pickup truck that started the accident.

The accident scene was cleared of all personnel while a bomb squad was called in. A robot was used to retrieve the pipe bomb from the pickup. The device was then taken to a remote location for examination and possible disposal.

A detour has been set up to route traffic around the scene.

The driver of the semi and two passengers in the semi reportedly were unhurt.