Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A passenger was airlifted after a sport utility vehicle lost its right rear tire, hit the concrete median and then rolled across Interstate 5 coming to rest on a guardrail in south Chehalis yesterday evening.
Troopers and aid called about 5:15 p.m. to the northbound lanes near milepost 75 found the red Ford Explorer with its roof severely crushed in, according to responders.
Chehalis Fire Department Chief Ken Cardinale said the crew had to use special tools to extricate the injured person. Juan B. Lorerez, 27, from Longview, was transported to the Chehalis airport and LifeFlight took him to Tacoma General Hospital, according to Cardinale and the Washington State Patrol.
Lewis County Fire District 6 spokesperson DJ Hammer said he understood the victim, with possible head injuries, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The driver, 30-year-old Yimy A. Escobararriga, also from Longview, was treated at the scene and then released.
Another northbound vehicle struck the tire in the left lane, causing some damage, according to the state patrol.
The investigating trooper reports the tire had blown and the cause of the wreck was defective equipment. Escobararriga was to be cited for not having insurance.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter