By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A 36-year-old Salkum resident survived being hit by a car in the dark on U.S. Highway 12 early this morning.
The Washington State Patrol reported Raymond B. Schoenfeld was walking in the center of the lane when he was struck by a westbound car.
Troopers and aid were called about 3:45 a.m. to the scene near milepost 79, about a half mile east of the Salkum fire station.
Lewis County Fire District 8 Assistant Chief Don Taylor said when he arrived, the man was sitting on the shoulder of the highway holding his leg. Firefighters got out their infrared lights and began walking the road looking for a body, not believing a person could be hit by a car on Highway 12 and survive, he said.
The motorist, Glenn F. King, 65, of Mossyrock, only knew that he’d hit “something”, according to authorities.
Schoenfeld suffered a broken leg, according to the state patrol. He was reportedly intoxicated. He was taken by ambulance to Providence Centralia Hospital where was treated and has already been released.
The 2000 Toyota Avalon sustained an estimated $1,000 damage.
“It was, I guess, one of those amazing things,” Taylor said. “You do this and you think you’ve seen it all.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter