Two people were killed this week in separate accidents that occurred on the same stretch of highway in Central Whidbey.

Thursday afternoon, Ansara Miller, 20, of Clinton, died and two others were critically injured in a head-on collision on State Highway 525 near Admiral’s Cove.

On Tuesday, Charles E. Carlson, 82, of Freeland, died in a single-car crash on State Highway 20 near the Outlying Field Coupeville, which is just before it becomes State Highway 525.

Thursday’s crash blocked traffic traffic in both directions on Whidbey Island’s main arterial for more than two hours.

Miller was traveling northbound shortly after noon when the Toyota Camry she was driving crossed the center line and struck a Lexus driven by Carl Pennington, 77, with his wife Soonie Pennington, 90, in the passenger seat, according to Mark Francis, public information officer for the Washington State Patrol.

The Penningtons, of Oak Harbor, were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to be treated for critical injuries.

Soonie Pennington was listed in serious condition at Harborview Friday. Carl was upgraded to satisfactory condition, according to Susan Gregg, the hospital’s spokesperson.

An investigation by the State Patrol lasted more than two hours, leaving cars backed up for miles. Both lanes of traffic reopened at about 2:30 p.m.

“There were drugs found at the scene,” Francis said Thursday. “They will be in the investigation as far as a factor in the cause.”

Linda Kendrick, a longtime medical professional, said she was driving southbound on Highway 525 when she approached the scene of the accident, got out of her car and tried to help before emergency units had arrived.

Kendrick said she first rushed to Miller, recognizing she had critical injuries, but couldn’t get to her because of the crumpled car.

When she went over to the Penningtons, Kendrick said she saw that both were seriously injured, but were conscious and talking — and not alone.

“There was a little white dog between them cradled in Carl’s arms,” Kendrick said.

As they waited for emergency personnel, Kendrick said she talked to the couple and asked them questions to keep them alert, and the three prayed together.

“Mostly, I was just trying to keep them calm and relaxed,” Kendrick said.

“They said they were headed down to Clinton to go crabbing. They said they didn’t know where the car came from, that it came out of nowhere.”

The dog, a small white dog, named Skippy, was covered in blood, Kendrick said.

The dog was picked up by Carol Barnes of Island County Animal Control and taken to Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic in Coupeville. It was treated for lacerations and a concussion.

In Tuesday’s accident, Carlson was driving a 1992 Toyota Previa south on the highway and drifted off the road to the right just south of the intersection with Welcher Road. He overcorrected, sending the vehicle over the centerline and off the roadway. The vehicle struck a tree and Carlson was ejected.

Carlson, the only occupant, was killed. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Island County Coroner Robert Bishop said Carlson was living in Freeland with his daughter, but had a Seattle address listed as his residence.

Thursday’s crash happened just south of Aloha Place on Highway 525, between Admirals Drive and Houston Road. It was at a stretch of the highway where there are no alternate routes to allow drivers to continue north or south.

Island Transit’s Route 1 bus, which travels from the Clinton ferry to Harbor Station in Oak Harbor, was stranded for more than two hours at the scene.

Some bus passengers were given rides to catch another bus in Coupeville, IT driver Sandi Fox said.

Between Admiral’s Cove and North Bluff Road is the only major section of the highway that Fox said she’s aware of where there are no others routes to pass through should the need arise.

“It’s the one place where there are no detours.”

Charlie Smith, deputy fire chief with Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue, said that lack of alternative routes led to other problems. Emergency units couldn’t respond to other calls during the time the highway was blocked.

County planners are aware of the problem. In July,  Pub-lic Works Director Bill Oakes discussed a possible $6.5-million road from Race Road to Houston Road — the so-called Race Road Bypass.

The bypass, intended specifically to provide an efficient alternative to Highway 525 in case that highway is blocked or closed in an emergency, has been under discussion since at least mid-2012.

“That tragic accident stopped traffic for a significant amount of time and blocked things like transit and emergency response,” Oakes said Thursday.

“That’s why we’re moving this project forward.”

The county has begun buying right-of-way for the new road, which will be about 1.5 miles long, he said. Construction will likely begin next year or the year after.

Smith praised South Whidbey Fire, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue and Whidbey General Hospital EMS for their efforts in assisting with calls and other help that was provided during the highway closure.

Smith said some of the people waiting in traffic needed assistance.

“Everybody was going in every direction,” Smith said.

Upon arriving on the scene, Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue had to extricate Miller from her vehicle.