Photo shared by Kari Johnson
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A Rochester man was listed in critical condition yesterday after a Saturday afternoon collision on Interstate 5 north of Castle Rock.
Michael T. Burleson, 27, of Rochester was a passenger in a northbound car about 2:15 p.m. on Saturday which lost control and ran into the rear of a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder near milepost 53, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Burleson suffered a cracked skull, a broken neck and five broken ribs, according to the state patrol. He was flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, the patrol reported.
The driver of the 1996 Nissan 2SX he was traveling in, Guy B. Rostan, 26, also of Rochester, was taken to St. John Medical Center in Longview with head and chest injuries. A hospital spokesperson said yesterday Rostan was treated and released.
The state patrol blamed the hydroplaning on driving too fast.
A 50-year-old Portland woman in the 2005 Mitsubishi Montero that they hit – Maria O’Brien – was admitted to St. John Medical Center and in stable condition yesterday.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I wonder if some of these injuries could have been completely avoided if the airbags deployed. Maria O’Brien drives a 2007 Montreo SUV and NONE of the airbags deployed. A newer vehicle that rolled at least 3 times; every angle of the SUV was damaged but the frame seemed to hold up. Still this safety issue is not to be brushed off lightly. Mitsubishi has some explaining to do.
After visiting Mike today I know his guardian angel has been working overtime. He is doing miraculously well considering the circumstances.
The car is a 200SX.