By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Troopers were called yesterday afternoon to a rear-end chain reaction collision on northbound Interstate 5 at Centralia involving four passenger vehicles which sent four individuals to the hospital.
Centralia police and firefighters joined the Washington State Patrol after the 4:15 p.m. call to the area near the Harrison Avenue interchange.
It began when a 62-year-old driver from Kelso in a Dodge Intrepid failed to slow for traffic and struck the rear of a Hyundai Tucson, according to the state patrol. Christine J. Price, 62, was expected to be cited for having no insurance and speed too fast for conditions, according to the investigating trooper.
Three of the vehicles had to be towed off the freeway; the Intrepid and Tucson were described as totaled.
Three drivers and one passenger were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital with injuries described as abrasions, neck, back or chest pain and Price sustained a knee injury, according to the state patrol.
Among the injured were also drivers Melodye B. Petterson, 65, of Camas and Tonya K. Fowler, 37, of Castle Rock, as well as Price’s passenger, David G. Newton, 62, of Longview.
A 48-year-old Redmond resident driving a 1998 Dodge Caravan involved, was reportedly not injured.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter