Pipe bomb found at SR-3 accident, Belfair man arrested

A 21-year-old Belfair man was arrested for carrying an explosive device in his pick-up truck after it caused a five-car collision on State-Route 3 Thursday morning that killed one and sent another to the hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Krista Hedstrom said the accident occurred at 6:52 a.m. when the driver of the 1994 Nissan pick-up, which was northbound on SR-3 near the Bremerton National Airport, crossed the centerline in front of a semi-truck headed southbound.

“The semi apparently swerved to avoid the collision, then struck a GMC Yukon SUV before rolling onto a Mitsubishi,” Hedstrom said, explaining that the collisions occurred near Barney White Road.

The driver in the Yukon, 42-year-old Thomas M. Gamblin of Belfair, was killed.

The 24-year-old Belfair man in the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Hedstrom said, was trapped for approximately two hours before crews could lift the semi off his car and free him. She said he appeared to be uninjured, but as a precaution was airlifted to the hospital. His injuries are now described as possible broken ribs and lacerations.

A fifth car, a 1994 Toyota pick-up, was involved at the “tail end of the collision,” she said. The driver was not injured, but his car was totaled.

WSP investigators blocked the highway in both directions, setting up detours at Lake Flora and Sunnyslope roads, using three tow trucks to remove the semi.

While examining the pick-up, Hedstrom said troopers discovered a pipe bomb, and called a bomb squad to remove the device from the scene. By 2 p.m., she said the device had been removed.

The driver of the pick-up, who suffered a foot injury, was then arrested in connection with the explosive device and was being booked into jail Thursday afternoon.

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