Updated at 9:47 a.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
One person was airlifted after a collision early this morning between a motorcycle and a Mack truck at a freeway onramp in Centralia.
Firefighters called at 5:20 a.m. to the northbound Harrison Avenue entrance to Interstate 5 found a male on the ground with unspecified injuries.
Riverside Fire Authority reports the Rochester fire department set up a helicopter landing zone at the Scatter Creek Rest Area so the patient could be flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Fire Capt. Erik Olson described the injuries as serious.
According to the Washington State Patrol, a dump truck was turning onto the ramp from a construction site when the motorcycle entering the freeway struck its trailer. Scott R. Bliss, 44, of Rochester was ejected from his 2007 Harley Davidson, according to the state patrol.
Police closed the northbound ramp and a portion of Harrison was also blocked. Trooper Will Finn advised motorists to expect delays.
Wesley G. Snelson, 61, from Galvin, was the driver of the 2004 Mack dump truck and was reportedly unhurt. His rig was not damaged, according to the investigating trooper.
Bliss had been wearing a helmet; his motorcycle was described as totaled and was impounded.
The collision remains under investigation.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter