By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A Winlock man was hospitalized with a head injury after his vehicle collided with a 500-gallon propane tank and burst into flames on private property south of Chehalis yesterday.
The 56-year-old motorist thought he was traveling along North Military Road but instead was at Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers just west of Interstate 5, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
Stephen G. Kamhout was operating a 2003 Ford Expedition which was destroyed, according to authorities.
He was able to flee the vehicle and when contacted by law enforcement appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants, sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.
Lewis County Fire District 5 was joined by personnel from Districts 15, 7 and 2 and put water on the tank until someone was able to get close enough to shut off the valve, Firefighter Sam Heldreth said. Nobody else was injured.
Two nearby propane tanks were not affected, Breen said.
Ritchie Brothers is a heavy equipment auction business.
Kamhout was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital to be medically cleared for booking but they kept him to treat a head injury, Breen said.
A case for driving under the influence will be referred to prosecutors for charging, Breen said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter