Traffic comes to a standstill on northbound Interstate 5 at Chehalis / Courtesy photo by Heather Bouck
Updated at 6:03 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A young man is dead and two others injured after he traveled the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Chehalis last night and hit an oncoming vehicle.
TJ L. Sinnott, 23, from Doty was headed south in the northbound lanes near milepost 77 when his car struck a northbound sport utility vehicle occupied by two women from Oregon, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Chehalis Fire Department Capt. Casey Beck said the engine compartment of the women’s vehicle caught fire.
“They had been pulled out, or self extricated,” Beck said. “It was right next to his car. Unfortunately, he passed right away.”
Chelsea R. Zigler, 24, Clackamas and Carrieann M. Zigler, 24, of Gresham, both were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol.
Troopers called at 11:12 p.m. to the scene report both vehicles were totaled and impounded.
Sinnott had been driving a 2003 Hyundai Accent and Chelsea Zigler was behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.
All had been wearing seat belts. It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved, according to the state patrol.
A hospital spokesperson this morning said Chelsea Zigler is listed in fair condition. Her passenger Carrieann Zigler was treated and has been released.
Washington State Department of Transportation reports the roadway wasn’t cleared until 2:20 a.m.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
We live in Chehalis, I sent this article to my girlfriend she works for retail clothing store in Olympia, TJ actually opened a account with her earlier that day. She was shocked to see the driver was TJ. She did say he was buying cologne from her and he seemed very nice. Terrible tragedy for all involved.