By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Two people were injured yesterday when their sport utility vehicle was hit by a semi truck on U.S. Highway 12 in Randle.
Troopers called about 3:21 p.m. report the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban was eastbound and slowing to turn left onto Kindle Road when the 2003 Volvo tractor behind them failed to slow down and rear-ended them.
Andrew F. Spears, 30, of Onalaska, was transported to Morton General Hospital, as was his passenger, Bobby J. Lynch, 30, also of Onalaska, according to the Washington State Patrol. Both had been wearing seat belts, according to the state patrol.
The truck driver, Paul W. Neilson, 57, from Mossyrock, was reportedly unhurt.
His truck was damaged, but able to be driven away from the scene. The Suburban was described as totaled.
The wreck is blamed on driver inattention, and Neilson was to be issued a citation for second-degree negligent driving, according to the investigating trooper.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
So the semi knocked them into the ditch only feet from the Randle Clinic and across the road from the Randle fire station. Medical attention was Johnny on the spot with the clinic doctor and staff as well as the fire department people attending to the injured.
The old Suburban didn’t look damaged that bad but it doesn’t take much to write off and old vehicle like that as totaled.
This is a 45MPH zone for a reason as there used to be a lot of vehicles hit while turning when the speed was 55mph. Many people continue to speed through there and it’s one of the WSP’s favorite hunting grounds.