Updated at 5:23 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning alcohol impairment and speed may have led to the crash early yesterday that sent two Chehalis residents to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Based on a conversation with the driver, Brandon A. Davis, 18, deputies believe he and his 20-year-old passenger had been at Walupt Lake before the 1996 Honda Accord wrecked into a tree at the 200 block of Kirkland Road, northeast of Napavine, according to the sheriff’s office.
Davis was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered broken bones and possible internal injuries, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said this morning. His passenger was seat belted but had a head injury as well as an injury to his foot, Brown said. Both men are from Chehalis, she said.
Investigators are awaiting toxicology test results but are referring the case to prosecutors for a possible charge of vehicular assault, according to Brown.
Responders found the men trapped in the wreckage, freed them, treated them and put them in a helicopter for transport to the hospital, according to Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue.
Davis was listed in satisfactory condition this afternoon, according to a hospital spokesperson. No information was released about his passenger.
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For background, read “News brief: Car versus tree collision sends two to Harborview” from Sunday August 23, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter