Responders at collision on U.S. Highway 12 in between Denmark and Huntington streets east of Rochester. / Courtesy photo by Val Davis
Updated at 12:37 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Four individuals from Rochester and Centralia were hospitalized last night after a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 12 west of Grand Mound.
Troopers called about 8:40 p.m. to the scene near milepost 43 found both vehicles totaled, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The roadway in front of Briarwood Farms in between Denmark and Huntington streets was blocked for more than four hours during the investigation.
Samuel J. Canfield, 22, of Centralia, was traveling westbound and attempted to pass a westbound SUV when his Chevrolet pickup struck the SUV, according to the state patrol.
He and his passenger Brittny S. Canfield, 20, were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to responders. It’s not clear if she had been seat-belted in, according to the investigating trooper.
The SUV involved was wheels down on the side of the highway but the pickup truck came to rest about 200 feet away on its top next to the railroad tracks, according to Riverside Fire Authority who were called to assist.
“They had to shut down the rail lines to take care of a patient next to the vehicle and another inside the vehicle,” Fire Capt. Casey McCarthy said.
Transported to Providence Centralia Hospital were the driver of the GMC Yukon, Heidi A. Antilla, 46, of Rochester, and her passenger Megan A. Antilla, 19, from Federal Way, according to the state patrol. By this morning, they had been treaded and released, a hospital spokesperson said.
The state patrol indicates drugs or alcohol were involved and they are investigating for possible charges of vehicular assault and driving under the influence. They blamed the collision on unsafe passing.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Adding a bunch of signs and left turn signals, reducing the speed limits and putting rumble strips down aren’t going to fix the major stupid affliction around here! And it isn’t just the kids. A gray-haired man driving a truck fit for a 16-yr-old passed me on the top of the overpass (over the tracks) at maybe 60 mph, stayed in the oncoming lane, and moved to the right in the middle of the intersection at Pecan St. Stupid breeds stupid, and this is Effing Stupid Central.
Close down the casinos. Not going to happen till its the bosses kid thing. But Rochester has to reel their kids and stop the drinking. My kids all live off that intersection.I dont want my family hurt. Put in a turning lane and flashing lights before the turn just like the schools do and save a life .