By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Four people, including two small children, escaped serious injury after a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 12 near Oakville last night.
Troopers called about 7:45 p.m. to the scene two miles north of town found both vehicles totaled, according to the Washington State Patrol.
A 2-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy in a Dodge Caravan were reportedly uninjured.
According to the state patrol, Joseph H. Bannwarth, 59, of Rochester, was traveling westbound near milepost 34 when his car ran into the guard rail, then struck a part of the bridge on the opposite side of the highway before colliding with the eastbound van.
Bannwarth was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia where this morning he is listed in good condition.
The driver of the van, Davette R. Lahaie, 46, of Elma, was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol. She was treated and has been released.
Bannwarth’s 2006 Chrysler Sebring was impounded.
The cause of the wreck remains under investigation.
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Correction: This news story has been updated to reflect the correct time troopers were called to the collision. The Washington State Patrol incorrectly reported to the news media it was 11:15 p.m., but it was actually 7:46 p.m.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
thank you Teresa for that. you are right. it turns out the state patrol was called at 7:46 p.m. to the wreck, and incorrectly reported to the news media it was 11:15 p.m.
This actually occurred earlier than reported here. I passed it around 8:30 PM on my way back home from Aberdeen.