By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The three men killed yesterday morning when their small pickup was broadsided by a log truck on U.S. Highway 12 were all part of the same family.
The driver Javier Ortiz-Valdovinos, 49, and Rigoberto Ortiz, 46, both of Rochester were brothers, according to the Lewis County coroner. Elvis Garcia-Ortiz, 44, of Centralia, was their nephew, Coroner Warren McLeod said today.
“The entire family has lost sons, fathers, brothers and husband, a week before Thanksgiving,” McLeod said. “It’s sad. It’s always sad, but …”
No charges are expected as the eastbound 1992 Toyota hit some ice, and crossed into the oncoming lane when it collided with the unloaded log truck, according to the Washington State Patrol.
It happened just before 6:30 a.m. in Ethel near Larmon Road.
The log truck driver, James K. Chenoweth, 35, of Glenoma, was reportedly uninjured.
Unexpected icy conditions contributed to numerous other minor collisions in that area around Highway 12 and Interstate 5, yesterday morning, according to responders.
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Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Heartbreaking