By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A motorist escaped serious injury when she struck an elk on Interstate 5 in Chehalis early this morning.
Three elk were trying to cross the freeway near the 13th Street exit when a northbound passenger car hit one of them, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Troopers and aid called about 4:30 a.m. found the Longview woman had just minor cuts to her head and hand. Kelly Reser, 36, was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital.
“I guess those three elk have been hanging out in the area,” Chehalis Firefighter Derek Pedersen said. “Now there’s only two.”
The impact caved in the windshield of her car, which troopers described as totaled.
Trooper Jerry Kuzminsky said they commonly see elk farther south near exit 63, but recently a trooper spotted one near the Chehalis Wal-Mart interchange.
“It’s getting to be a bigger problem,” he said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter