Lewis County Sirens.com

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A worker who just got off shift at National Frozen Foods in Chehalis was struck and seriously injured by a forklift overnight.

Both police and firefighters responded to the call about 3:15 a.m. to the plant at Northwest State Avenue and West Street, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

“Police got there first and applied a tourniquet to his leg,” Fire Capt. Ted McCarty said.

The man was conscious, but suffered a severe injury to his left leg, McCarty. He said it was one of the large forklifts and he believed the worker was hit by a rear wheel.

The 31-year-old Centralia man was transported to the Chehalis Airport and flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment, according to authorities.

National Frozen Foods processes corn, carrots and peas in Chehalis, according to information from the company’s website.

Law enforcement investigates railroad fatality. / Courtesy photos by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

Updated at 1:32 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a freight train about a half mile south of Tenino late yesterday afternoon.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said it happened approximately 5 p.m. near the 16800 block of Old Highway 99.

The southbound locomotive had been blowing its horn for one-eighth of a mile and went into emergency braking but the man was slow to respond, according to authorities.

He was unable to clear the tracks and was hit by the train, sheriff’s Sgt. Carla Carter stated in a press release.

Carter described him as a 30-year-old white male from Tacoma, but did not release his name.

The death is under investigation. The line was shut down for one and a half hours, delaying six trains, according to BNSF spokesperson Gus Melonas.

Melonas said it was the 13th railroad trespasser fatality in Washington this year.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Recreational campfires are prohibited starting at 12:01 a.m. on  Monday in unincorporated Lewis County, and the city of Centralia, given the arrival of the most dangerous fire weather of the season.

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If you want to roast marshmallows or cook out of doors, you can still do that as long as it takes place inside a propane or liquid gas barbecuer or camp stove that has an on-off switch. No charcoal briquettes.

Wildfire danger is high in Lewis County and most of Western Washington and even higher in the majority of Eastern Washington.

Campfires are still okay at state parks in Lewis County as long as they are in approved pits in designated campgrounds. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has not banned them.

Centralia and Lewis County both put out announcements today indicating they realize the prohibition could alter people’s recreational plans, but the decisions reflect a priority of public safety and the protection of property.

The city of Centralia says: “This decision is made in consideration of the already increased risk of rapid fire development from dry seasonal conditions and the absence of rain in the long-range weather forecasts.”

Both government entities state they will make public announcements when they decide to lift the prohibition.

Fire officials and others strongly urge all residents and property owners to be attentive to the conditions of their properties through proactive fire prevention measures.

The county in mid-July banned outdoor burning of brush piles.

Smoke rises in Pe Ell from house fire. / Courtesy photo by Daniel Sparks

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Doty-area firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion and dehydration from battling a house fire in Pe Ell yesterday, a blaze that destroyed a single-story home.

Firefighters responding to the 11:55 a.m. call on the 100 block of Alder Street found the structure fully involved and attacked it defensively, according to Lewis County Fire District 11.

“It was a great team of us, Districts 13, 16, 6, AMR and DNR as well,” Fire Chief Michael Krafczyk said.

The chief said he meant not him specifically as he was at work at the time, and didn’t arrive until later during the mop up phase.

He said he understood the person who resided there was working out of town.

Crews worked to keep the flames from the tall grass from igniting two houses next door, chasing fire that burned a U-shape around one of them, he said.

Firefighters didn’t completely clear the scene until 9:30 p.m., according to Krafczyk.  It was an approximately 1,500 square-foot home with a two-car garage.

The firefighter who was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital was treated then released and is doing well, the chief said.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The driver of a car that crossed the centerline killing an 18-year-old Centralia motorist has been arrested, as he was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash this past spring, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Grand Mound, May 17, 2017

Cheyllyn R. Collinsworth, 18, of Centralia, died the night of May 17 just as LifeFlight was landing following the collision at Old Highway 99 near Oregon Trail Road in Grand Mound.

Donald D. Siegler, 25, of Rochester, was seriously injured and hospitalized.

The sheriff’s office said Siegler was not well enough until this past week to take into custody. He was arrested on a warrant for vehicular homicide at his home on Monday, sheriff’s Lt. Tim Rudloff stated in a press release today.

The sheriff’s office investigated the collision and concluded Siegler was under the influence of marijuana when his Ford Focus crossed the center line and struck Collinsworth’s oncoming Kia, according to Rudloff. Siegler was booked into the Thurston County Jail.
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For background, read “News brief: Victim of fatal two-car wreck is Centralia resident” from Friday May 19, 2017, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – When the coroner puts out a public service announcement cautioning about the dangers of extreme outdoor temperatures, it’s worth paying attention to.

Of particular concern, are the more vulnerable members of the community such as the very old and the very young.

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“If you do not have a way to cool down your residence you can go to a library or other public building during the hottest part of the day,” the Lewis County Coroner’s Office stated in a press release this morning.

An excessive heat warning remains in effect though late Friday, with highs tomorrow forecast to surpass 100 degrees in Chehalis, according to the National Weather Service.

Along with that, an air quality alert has been issued due to smoke from wildfires in Washington and British Columbia, advising that children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues should limit outdoor activities.

Lewis County Fire District 6 announced they will open their main station in south Chehalis for citizens to come in and cool off between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. today, tomorrow and Friday.

Their building is located at 2123 Jackson Highway.

The city of Centralia is opening city hall for the same reason from from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. during the same period. Water will be provided.

Coroner Warren McLeod asks folks to please check on older neighbors and family members.

As others in the know have recommended, McLeod says people should avoid prolonged direct exposure to the sunshine and be sure to drink more water than usual, or beverages with added electrolytes. He says carbonated drinks and alcohol should not be used for hydration purposes

Here’s what the coroner wants you to know about two conditions that can develop during hot spells:

Heat exhaustion:

Signs: Heavy sweating, dizziness, rapid pulse, fatigue, cool/moist skin.

Treatment: Get into shade, sit or lie down and hydrate with fluids.

Heat stroke:

Signs: Confusion, nausea and vomiting, but most importantly is the skin is hot and dry.

Treatment: This is a true medical emergency that can lead to death if not treated immediately. Call 911.

Also on McLeod’s list of ways to avoid an unwanted encounter with his staff this week: “Always wear a life jacket when you are in, on or around the water.”

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – It could be weeks before the investigation into the crosswalk collision with a pedestrian last week in Centralia is completed, according to the Centralia Police Department.

Wednesday July 26, 2017

Patricia Toothill, 77, of Centralia, was walking in a cross walk when she was hit by a passenger vehicle and seriously injured last Wednesday night at the intersection of West Main Street at Iron Street, according to police.

She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and passed away there the following day, authorities said. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Toothill died of a head injury and labeled the manner of death accidental.

The driver of the vehicle, a Centralia man in his late 60s, had  indicated to police the sun was in his eyes.

“It’s under investigation,” Centralia police Sgt. David Clary said today. “We’re pending WSP’s investigation.”

Personnel from the state patrol assisted with the analysis of the scene.

Clary said the last time he was involved in a similar incident, it took a few weeks before the police department received the state patrol’s reports.
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For background, read “News brief: Centralia pedestrian injured in crosswalk” from Thursday July 27, 2017, here