The two lane county road just east of state Route 507 north of Centralia is closed for a collision investigation. / Courtesy photo by Grant’s Towing.
Updated at 11:38 a.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Two young people were killed when their car slid into the path of of a dump truck on Big Hanaford Road just north of Centralia last night.
The four-door Kia Spectra was traveling westbound near Wigley Road and crossed the centerline into an eastbound Freightliner hauling a pup trailer, according to responders.
Fire Capt. Tim Adolphsen said he didn’t know if the truck was loaded or not.
“The reports we got, the car lost control in front of him and he struck it, on the passenger side,” Adolphsen said.
Dead at the scene were car’s driver, Jonathan W. Parker, 20, from Centralia, and his passenger Tiara F. Kalebaugh, 18, of Pe Ell, according to the Washington State Patrol.
“I would probably say they were killed on impact,” Adolphsen said.
He described the car as destroyed.
It happened shortly before 9:40 p.m. The state patrol indicates speed was a factor.
The truck’s driver, a 52-year-old Kevin L. Geer, of Tenino, was reportedly uninjured. His truck was damaged and towed, according to the state patrol.
The roadway was closed for approximately five hours while investigators were on the scene, according to Trooper Will Finn.
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CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correctly reflect the type of truck involved.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Karyl,
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. We are not meant to bury our children. It is not in human nature. I know you will never find closure but I hope you find the strength to work through the grief you will have for the rest of your life. God bless you and your family.
The type of truck really doesn’t matter. Let’s not lose sigh of the fact that two young people tragically lost their lives before they could venture out into the world and make their mark. The families are going through grief and suffering that many of us can and hope we never have to imagine.
These types of deaths are horrible anytime but I think it takes on greater significance during the Christmas season. I join with all of you in offering my payers for the families.
I loss my son in a car accident the end of July. He also was only 21. I grieve with these families.
no it wasnt an ash truck if it was that late at night, they stop hauling ash at 5pm, I would bet it was an LTI dump truck heading to the plant
This is why we never pass up an opportunity to tell our children we love them. Never!! RIP youngins~
R.I.P john and tiara. We’ll miss you guys so much. You were amazing people.
It says dump truck but later in the article says tanker. Was it a dump truck or a tanker that hauls ash from the plant?
This is terrible. My thoughts and prayers for the family. Fly high kids and sing with the Angles 🙁