Tow Operator Struck Near Belfair on SR 302; Driver Arrested

A tow operator was badly hurt Sept. 13 while working the shoulder of State Route 302 near East Nahum Lane, near Belfair in Mason County.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the operator was on the shoulder preparing to clear a car from an earlier crash when a vehicle driving erratically onto the shoulder struck him. He suffered a broken ankle and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His name has not been released.

Troopers arrested the driver, 76-year-old Patrick Ferrant of Lakebay, for vehicular assault. He was also suspected of DUI.

As of the latest coverage, no court dates have been reported. TTOW will post updates as they come out. We wish the operator a full recovery.

Slow down and move over. Our operators are working just feet from traffic.

Sources: Shelton-Mason County Journal (https://www.masoncounty.com/story/2026/09/24/news/tow-truck-driver-struck-on-state-route-302/7845.html); KIRO 7 (https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/tow-truck-driver-airlifted-hospital-after-being-hit-by-car-mason-county/57BMZC4O6RBVPI3HXWG3S75HQA/)