WRECKS
• A reserve officer with the Winlock Police Department is at Harborview Medical Center after he and his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck last night on state Route 6 just west of Chehalis. Aid and troopers called about 6:15 p.m. to the scene near Donahoe Road found Randy O. Steger, 29, conscious and alert but with a laceration on his foot, according to responders. Steger, who was headed home from his day job, was westbound when the truck in front of him slowed to make a left turn and he attempted to pass the truck, according to law enforcement. His 2007 Harley Davidson struck the driver’s side of the 1984 Chevrolet truck, according to the Washington State Patrol. He is to be cited for unsafe passing, according to the state patrol. The 22-year-old driver of the truck, and his 20-year-old passenger, both from Centralia, were reportedly uninjured. Steger was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital and then transferred to the Seattle hospital where he is listed in satisfactory condition. He was wearing a helmet.
• A 55-year-old Randle man was taken to Morton General Hospital after he totaled his pickup by driving into the back end of a vehicle on U.S. Highway 12 in Randle yesterday. Troopers called just before noon report a 2011 Dodge Journey had slowed down while traveling through a work zone and Michael L. Daniels rear ended it. Daniels injuries seemed to be non life-threatening, according to Lewis County Fire District 14.
THEFT
• Jewelry was reported stolen yesterday morning from a residence on the 700 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia.
• Chehalis police were called about 8:15 a.m. yesterday to a residence on Southeast Adams Avenue near Main Street where someone had removed items from a car and left them on the ground, as well as left a gas can and siphoning hose next to another vehicle.
• Centralia police were called about 10:45 a.m. yesterday about tools stolen from a fifth-wheel trailer at the 800 block of South Tower Avenue.
BURNING BUSHES
• Firefighters were called just before 4 p.m. yesterday to a grass and brush fire along state Route 6 west of Pe Ell. Lewis County Fire District 11 Chief Michael Krafczyk said it grew to about 100 feet by 40 feet before crews got it extinguished. The cause isn’t known, Krafczyk said.
AND MORE
• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor domestic assaults, driving under the influence; responses for alarms, shoplifting, disorderly person who smells of alcohol, out-of-control 13-year-old, loud music, semi truck hauling manure on fire (was only poop-sawdust mix which had fallen onto the exhaust pipe and caused smoke) … and more.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
A lot of people I know that are truly looking for information are turning away from these two sites in particular because theyve been so badly hijacked. I think both were a good idea to begin with but the lack of administration has backfired. You can’t allow all the negativity and remain successful. It really does get old fast.
I agree about Facebook page. Just a lot of nonsense on there.
All this blog does is stir up controversy by sensationalizing otherwise non events. The Facebook page is even worse. Not very professional and gives media a bad name.
I agree that due to the nature of this incident, his job title is, at the very least, note-worthy. “Wal-Mart worker causes havoc in K-Mart”, “School Bus Driver involved in DUI”, “School councilor cited for under-age house party”, “Former Cop selling guns on black market”. A reserve officer should have at least a better understanding of car accidents, and motorcycle vs truck. MOST motorcyclists AND drivers know better than to pull a in the path of a vehicle. Besides, if it is safe for him to pass, it makes sense that it is safe for the truck to turn, right? Mr. Steger is very blessed to still be alive and walking!
I own and ride a motorcycle. No job exempts a driver or rider from exercising a little intelligence and good judgment. Although there is no indication whether or not the driver was signalling his left turn, the motorcycle rider was wrong to assume he could just fly on past when the truck slowed down. It is probably very fortunate Mr. Steger was wearing a helmet.
No, it isn’t about his position with the police department except, cops get extra training in driving skills and see the videos that tell them just how bad a collision can be. His reserve officer title in the story is part of the human interest part of the story.
Anytime a police officer is involved in something newsworthy, even though it has nothing to do with their position as a police officer, the news media, (and I guess LCS’s too) splashes it all over the front page. Doesn’t seem right to me.
Was the Reserve Officer on duty at the time of the collision?
If not, why the “Reserve Officer” title? I can’t recall reading about any other collision where the driver was identified by his or her occupation.
“Wall-Mart Greeter John Smith was involved in an accident today…” Nope. Never saw that one before. Almost makes it sound like prejudice against law enforcement when occupations are selectively listed…