1 Seriously Injured in Multi-Car Crash on State Route 6 in Chehalis
Man Airlifted in Critical Condition after Chehalis Car Collision on State Route 6
Chehalis, Washington (November 18, 2019) – One person was hospitalized with serious injuries Friday afternoon after being involved in a multi-vehicle collision on State Route 6 in Chehalis, according to Washington State Patrol.
The accident involved three vehicles and occurred at about 1:05 p.m. on State Route 6.
WSP said a 2009 Ford F-150 was traveling west on State Route 6 at about milepost 51 when, for unknown reasons, veered off the roadway and struck a barrier on the right side of the bridge.
The truck then went into the eastbound lane and struck a 2019 Peterbilt garbage truck, which then veered into the westbound lane and hit a 1998 Honda head-on.
The driver of the Honda, a 19-year-old man, was trapped inside his vehicle, Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale said.
Fire crews, emergency medical responders and other rescuers responded to the scene.
The fire crews took more than 70 minutes to extricate the driver from the car using two “Jaws of Life”, according to Cardinale. The driver sustained serious head injury, multiple fractures and blood loss. Emergency medical responders used “large-bore IV” to give the patient fluids and pain-management during the extrication process.
The victim was airlifted to Tacoma General Hospital in critical condition.
Cardinale said the garbage truck’s front end was all the way into the driver’s compartment. The dashboard of the Honda was crushed down on the driver by the truck, with the front bumper of the truck just inches from the driver’s lap.
The vehicles were towed away from the scene.
Authorities are investigating the accident.
