Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 72-year-old Salkum man is in serious condition after his pickup truck collided with a semi truck on U.S. Highway 12 in Ethel last night.

John W. Jones was flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with a broken pelvis after the approximately 8:30 p.m. wreck, according to the Washington State Patrol. His 1986 Ford R10 pickup was described as totaled.

A hospital spokesperson said Jones is in the intensive care unit this morning.

Troopers reported a 2003 Peterbilt with two trailers pulled onto the highway near Leonard Road heading west and Jones’ eastbound pickup struck one of the trailers.

The trailer sustained an estimated $1,000 damage, but the semi driver was reportedly uninjured. The driver, David D. Belding, 37, of Silverlake, is blamed by the patrol for failing to yield the right of way.

The log truck driven by Charles M. Stine of Pe Ell lays on its side on state Route 6 on Wednesday afternoon. / Courtesy Photo by Bud Goodwillie

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A log truck accident on state Route 6 this afternoon sent its driver to the regional trauma hospital with a head injury.

Charles M. Stine, 26, of Pe Ell, was traveling westbound near Spooner Road when he entered a curve to the right causing his load of logs to shift and his truck to roll to the left, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The 1999 Peterbilt tractor and flatbed trailer came to rest in the eastbound lane, according to the state patrol. The vehicle was declared a total loss.

Troopers were called just after 3 p.m. to the wreck about seven miles west of Chehalis.

Stine was flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was listed in satisfactory condition on Thursday morning.

The investigating trooper reported the driver was wearing a seatbelt. The cause is under investigation.

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This news story was updated on Thursday Oct. 21, 2010 at 12:45 p.m.

Responders examine the log truck that rolled over on state Route 6 near Spooner Road on Wednesday / Courtesy Photo by Bud Goodwillie

Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Chehalis firefighters Jay Birley and Rob Gebhart are bringing their bagpipes out in public again on Saturday night when they entertain at a fundraiser at the Chehalis Eagles.

Their group,  Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums, will entertain at the event that begins at 6 p.m.

The benefit is for the daughter of Jeff and Angie Elder, both of whom work at the Chehalis Police Department. The family needs assistance in covering medical expenses for 9-year-old Keeton Elder.

Keeton Elder

Keeton has an undiagnosed condition which the family has been dealing with for the past five years. The search for answers has become expensive, according to friends, and not all of it is covered by her parent’s health insurance.

So, Firefighter-investigator Birley arranged for an evening of beer drinking and bagpipe playing. The Eagles donated a keg and tickets for $10 pitchers can be purchased from Birley ahead of time.

Birley says there is an account set up at Security State Bank, named “Benefit for Keeton” and folks should feel free to fill that up as well.

Planning is also underway by friends of the Elders for a Dec. 4 spaghetti dinner and auction fundraiser at the Eagles. For information on that, contact Jenny Warstadt at 360-942-8405 or myhebo@live.com or Julie Hampson at 360-748-9722 or theranch@compprime.com